New York Giants allow rookie WR Malik Nabers to wear a retired number

In a move that may be a first within NFL circles, rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers is going to bring a number out of retirement for the New York Giants. Nabers, who wore the number 8 in college, will now take over the number 1, which was previously retired by franchise legend Ray Flaherty.

Nabers was given expressed permission from the family of Flaherty to make the swap to what was the first retired number in NFL history all the way back in 1934. This obviously creates some added pressure for Nabers to succeed in New York, having a number unretired for a rookie is unheard of and it doesn’t get much bigger than the first number to ever be retired.

With the regular season rapidly approaching, Nabers will be counted on early and often as the Giants’ number one receiver. Given the magnitude of this move, fans will be eager to see how the first player to wear #1 since the 1934 championship team will fare in the Brian Daboll offense. Let’s hope Nabers can live up to the expecations and the hype.