Phil Simms and Lawrence Taylor retired together, and now the two Giants greats are together again at the center of rookie Abdul Carter’s jersey number selection process.
After Taylor shot down Carter’s inquiry into un-retiring No. 56 for him to wear during an exclusive interview with The Post’s Steve Serby, Simms said he is open to the Giants un-retiring his No. 11 to give to either Carter or fellow rookie first-round pick Jaxson Dart.
“I told some of my friends and people around me, ‘I’d let him have it in a second. Can you just help it a little or make it better?’” Simms quipped on FanDuel TV.
“I think it would be a lot of fun. It wouldn’t bother me.”
Carter, who wore the esteemed No. 11 at Penn State, quickly caught wind of Simms’ approval and replied on X.
“It would be an HONOR,” Carter wrote, tagging Simms with the horns hand emoji.
Simms and Taylor both retired after the 1993 season. Simms threw his commemorative “final pass” to Taylor during an on-field ceremony retiring his No. 11.
Pressed on if he would really grant the Giants permission to un-retire No. 11 – as the family of the late Ray Flaherty did last year when No. 1 was given to rookie receiver Malik Nabers – Simms said that his family and friends might object more than he does.
“It’s just whatever. I don’t know,” Simms said. “If they really want it. My wife, I don’t know if my family said anything. The boys (three sons) didn’t say anything. My agent (said), ‘Don’t you dare give up that jersey number.’ Well, first off, I don’t think Abdul Carter is going to ask for it, but, if he would’ve, if it was up to me, I would probably give it to him.”
Hall of Famer Warren Moon allowed the Titans to unretire his No. 1 – worn when the Titans were the Houston Oilers – for quarterback Cam Ward.
Dart wore No. 2 at Ole Miss. That is currently occupied by cornerback Deonte Banks, who gave up No. 3 earlier this offseason to Russell Wilson.
No. 12 is available.
