Shortly after the New York Giants selected Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter in the first round of the 2025 NFL draft, the question arose: What number will he wear? Some pondered the possibility that Carter would seek to unretire No.

No. 56 belongs to Lawrence Taylor, one of the greatest defensemen in NFL history. Can Giants newcomer Abdul Carter borrow it?

After being picked by the Giants on Thursday night, Abdul Carter made clear his interest in wearing No. 56. On Friday night, Lawrence Taylor made clear his lack of interest in allowing it. Carter accepted Taylor's refusal to permit the retired number to be unretired in a Twitter post.