EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – The Giants' original retired jersey is coming out of retirement.
Malik Nabers, the sensational wide receiver selected sixth in the 2024 NFL Draft, will become the first Giants player to wear jersey No. 1 since 1935. The number was taken out of circulation by the Giants after Ray Flaherty retired following that season. It was the first retired jersey number in professional football.
But after talks between Giants president and chief executive officer John Mara and Ray Flaherty, Jr., Nabers will wear No. 1 when the Giants open their season Sept. 8 against the Minnesota Vikings and beyond.
"I'm going to represent their family's retired number well," Nabers said. "I'm going to try my best. I'm grateful that they chose the opportunity to un-retire the jersey and let me wear it. I'm going to wear it with pride."
Nabers wore No. 9 throughout the spring and summer but needed a different number since punter Graham Gano is No. 9. He wore No. 8 at LSU, but that belongs to quarterback Daniel Jones.
"Everybody else's number was really taken," Nabers said. "I looked into retired jerseys and number one stood out. So, I asked John Mara about it. He was like, 'We could give it a shot.' So, we gave it a shot."
Mara would not have approved activating the number without the approval of the Flaherty family. That included Ray Jr., daughter Shelby, and sons Chad and Conner.
"I understood that Malik was interested in wearing number one, and we initially told him, 'No, it's been retired for many years,'" Mara said. "Then I thought, I think we'd be willing to allow it if the Flaherty family would be agreeable to it. I spoke with Ray Flaherty. Jr. a couple of weeks ago and I've had several conversations with him since, and they called me today to tell me that they would be agreeable to allowing Malik to wear the number.
"I thought it was a very gracious gesture on their part, but I also thought it would allow us to at least educate people as to who Ray Flaherty was, because he played in the 1930s, and I'm sure that most of our fans have no idea who he was. This all took place today and we're very grateful to the Flaherty family and I told them that the number would go back to being retired after Malik's career, which hopefully will last many years, is over."
The Flaherty family's consent was not automatic. Indeed, there was some initial dissent.
"There were a few things," Flaherty said. "Probably one of the most important is I kind of polled my family. I've got two sons and a daughter. And, of course, that's their grandfather. Initially, my daughter wasn't that excited about it. And it was she that came around. Eventually she said, 'It might be lucky for him. That number one might be a good number for him.' She acquiesced. We thought that would be the way to go."
The family was also inspired by the chance to introduce Ray Flaherty to the current generation of Giants fans.
"That was John's point," Flaherty said. "And that's a valid point. That number was the first one retired by the Giants. It was the first professional football number retired. And actually, it was the first professional sports athlete number retired in America."
Rookie WR Malik Nabers will wear jersey number 1, with permission from Ray Flahery's family.
Flaherty was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1976. He played for the Giants from 1928-29 and 1931-35 and helped them advance to the NFL Championship Game in 1933, 1934 and 1935. Flaherty suggested to coach Steve Owen that the Giants wear sneakers in the icy conditions at the Polo Grounds in the 1934 championship game, known as the "Sneakers Game." The Giants took advantage of solid footing in the second half and rolled to a 30-13 victory. Flaherty introduced the screen pass in the 1937 title game when Washington earned a 28-21 victory over the Chicago Bears. He spent the 1930 season coaching at Gonzaga. Flaherty finished with an 80-37-5 record as a coach with Boston, Washington, New York Yankees, and Chicago Hornets. He passed away in 1994.
"I think this was kind of a unique circumstance in that the number was retired so long ago, and that people don't know who Ray Flaherty was," Mara said. "So, I think it was an opportunity to highlight his career a little bit and tell people about him."
Precedent exists for the Giants re-issuing a retired number as No. 14 is retired in honor of both Ward Cuff and Hall of Famer Y.A. Tittle.
Cuff's nine-year Giants career ended in 1945, and his jersey number was retired the following year. A wingback, fullback, halfback, defensive back and kicker, he rushed for 1,766 yards on 330 carries (a 5.3-yard average) and caught 101 passes for 1,477 yards. Cuff scored 18 touchdowns (six rushing, 12 receiving) and made 31 of 70 field goal attempts and 98 of 102 extra point tries. He also had a 12.1-yard punt return average and 13 interceptions.
Wellington Mara, who was close friends with Cuff, said no Giant would wear the number after Cuff retired. But when Tittle was traded to the Giants in 1961, he requested and was given No. 14.
Tittle played four seasons for the Giants. In 1962, he completed 200 passes in 375 attempts for 3,224 yards. His 33 touchdowns set an NFL record and his seven touchdown passes vs. Washington tied another mark. The latter remains the Giants' single-game mark. Tittle had the greatest season of his 17-year pro career in 1963, leading the league in passing with 221 completions in 367 attempts for 3,145 yards and 36 touchdowns, which is still the Giants' record.
Nabers hopes to set franchise records wearing No. 1. He initially approached general manager Joe Schoen and coach Brian Daboll about changing numbers.
"They mentioned it to me and my position on it was that I would ask, but we would not do it unless the Flaherty family was agreeable to it," Mara said. "And fortunately, they were, and I think it's a nice story."
So, of course, does Malik Nabers.
"It shows how much this organization wants to make me a key factor in the offense," he said. "How much they're invested in me. It shows how much this organization put trust on me.
"I heard this is the first number ever retired in sports history. So, I'm sure this number is going to blow up when everybody sees me wearing it."
Flaherty, who splits his time between Hayden Lake, Idaho and Edmonton, will be in MetLife Stadium for the opening game, when the Giants will celebrate their 100th season. He looks forward to meeting the Giants' new No. 1
"I've been following Malik in training camp as best I can from here, and it does seem like he's having a hell of a camp," Flaherty said. "And I wish him the best. I've got a vested interest in him now."
Check out the evolution of the New York Giants' uniforms through the years.
The 1934 N.Y. Giants pose for a team photo. The Giants won the 1934 NFL Championship Game over the Chicago Bears in what's known as "The Sneakers Game" after their players switched from cleats to sneakers to help with their footing in their upset win. (AP Photo/Pro Football Hall of Fame)
1927 New York Giants team photo (Pro Football Hall of Fame via AP Images)
New York Giants' center Mel Hein is seen Oct. 11, 1945, in New York. (AP Photo/John Lindsay)
RB Ward Cuff is shown in this 1945 photo. (AP Photo)
Kyle Rote, halfback for the New York Giants Oct. 24, 1951 at the Polo Grounds in New York. (AP Photo)
Arnie Weinmeister, New York Giant tackle, during workout at the Polo Grounds in New York City in 1952. (AP Photo/Ray Howard)
This Dec. 11, 1956 file photo shows Andy Robustelli (81), an end for the New York Giants. (AP Photo/File)
Frank Gifford heads upfield during an NFL game on Nov. 3, 1957 (AP Photo/NFL Photos/Vernon Biever)
New York Giants halfback Frank Gifford, shown at a workout on Sept. 9, 1958 in New York. (AP Photo/Rooney)
Photo shows Dick Nolan, half back for the New York Giants on Sept. 17, 1960. (AP Photo/John Rooney)
Y.A. Tittle after leading Giants to stunning 38-21 win over the Philadelphia Eagles on Nov. 12, 1961. (AP Photo/John Lindsay)
In this Sept. 3, 1963, file photo, New York Giants running back Alex Webster poses at the team's NFL training camp in Fairfield, Conn. (AP Photo/Harry Harris, File)
New York Giants QB Fran Tarkenton, Nov. 5, 1967 (AP Photo.Robert Walsh, File)
Fran Tarkenton, quarterback, New York Giants, (10) flanked by left Joe Morrison, and Joe Koontz (47) right, in 1968. (AP Photo)
Linebacker Pat Hughes watches play in 1972. (AP Photo / Al Messerschmidt)
Carl "Spider" Lockhart poses for a photo during training camp in Fairfield, Ct., 1974. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)
RB Doug Kotar and Joe Dawkins clutch hands during an NFL game against the Green Bay Packers, Nov. 23, 1975. (AP Photo/Vernon Biever)
New York Giants linebacker Brad Van Pelt (10) during a 24 to 10 Giants win over the Los Angeles Rams on Sept. 26, 1976 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles.(AP Photo/NFL Photos)
Hall of Fame RB Larry Csonka watches from the sideline against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Coliseum on September 26, 1976. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
QB Phil Simms throws a pass during the NFL football game against the New York Jets in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 28, 1982. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
New York Giants linebacker Harry Carson (53) looks on during the NFL football game against the St. Louis Cardinals on September 22, 1985 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Giants won the game 27-17. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
New York Giants' quarterback Phil Simms is seen in action, 1984. (AP Photo)
Lawrence Taylor is congregated by Mark Collins and Carl Banks after his interception and touchdown run on a Joe Montana pass on Sunday, Jan. 4, 1986 in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Ray Stubblebine)
New York Giants running back Ottis Anderson (24) catches a pregame pass during the NFL game against the Philadelphia Eagles on October 12, 1986 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Giants won the game 35-3. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
Mark Collins watches pre-game warm-ups before the 1986 NFC Championship NFL game against the Washington Redskins, Jan. 11, 1987. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
Phil Simms vs. San Francisco 49ers at Candlestick Park Monday, November 27, 1989. (AP Photo/Al Golub)
Giants running back Ottis Anderson (24) on Monday, December 3, 1990. (AP Photo/Al Golub)
Jeff Hostetler celebrates after throwing a first quarter touchdown pass against the Chicago Bears at Giants Stadium, Jan. 13, 1991. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)
Jessie Armstead (98) during a game from his 1993 season with the New York Giants. (David Durochik via AP)
New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor (56) pressures Minnesota Vikings quarterback Jim McMahon Jan. 9, 1994 in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)
Rodney Hampton during a game from his 1995 season with the New York Giants. (David Durochik via AP)
Phillippi Sparkes holds his second interception of the night with teammates Tito Wooten (29) and Corey Widmer (90) during overtime against the Washington Redskins, Nov. 23, 1997. (AP/Doug Mills)
Keith Hamilton against the Oakland Raiders on September 13, 1998 in Oakland. (AP Photo/G. Newman Lowrance)
Amani Toomer celebrates after catching a 17 yard touchdown pass against the Cleveland Browns, Nov. 5, 2000 (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Cedrick Jones (94) and Thabiti Davis (82) celebrate their 17-13 win over the Dallas Cowboys in Irving, Texas, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2000. With the win the Giants are NFC East champions. (AP Photo/Donna McWilliam)
Kerry Collins sets to pass against the St. Louis Rams during their football game in St. Louis Sunday, Sept. 15, 2002. (AP Photo/James A. Finley)
Eli Manning (10) throws a pass during the first quarter Sunday, Oct. 23, 2005 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Tiki Barber breaks through the Oakland Raiders' defense on his way to 95-yard rushing touchdown in the first half of NFL football on Saturday, Dec. 31, 2005 (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Michael Strahan celebrates after sacking Dallas Cowboys quarterback Drew Bledsoe during the third quarter Sunday, Dec. 4, 2005 at Giants Stadium (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Lawrence Tynes celebrates after kicking the game-winning field goal in overtime during the NFC Championship football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Jan. 20, 2008, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
New York Giants QB Eli Manning (10) celebrates after his 13-yard touchdown pass to Plaxico Burress in the fourth quarter of the Super Bowl XLII football game against the New England Patriots at University of Phoenix Stadium on Sunday, Feb. 3, 2008 in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)
New York Giants defensive end Justin Tuck (91) looks on before an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers Sunday, Dec. 27, 2009, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
The Giants introduce their alternative uniforms with white pants vs. the Raiders November 10th, 2013
David Diehl (66) blocks during a week 10 football game against the Oakland Raiders on November 10, 2013 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (AP Photo/Evan Pinkus)
Sterling Shepard (87) during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz.(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Saquon Barkley scores a 1st quarter touchdown during a week 16 game against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday December 23, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Evan Pinkus via AP)
Saquon Barkley hurdles Philadelphia Eagles' Malcolm Jenkins (27) during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Oct. 11, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Leonard Williams and Dexter Lawrence react during the second quarter of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Monday, Nov. 4, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Azeez Ojulari (51) Jason Pinnock (27)
Daniel Jones (8)
New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton (86) during a game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday December 4, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jerry Pinkus/ New York Giants)
New York Giants place kicker Graham Gano (9) during a game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday December 4, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jerry Pinkus/ New York Giants)
Azeez Ojulari (51)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) Azeez Ojulari (51)
Darius Slayton
New York Giants linebacker Azeez Ojulari (51) during a game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday December 4, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jerry Pinkus/ New York Giants)
Jon Feliciano (76)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Graham Gano (9)
Isaiah Hodgins (18)
Darius Slayton (86)
Isaiah Hodgins (18)
Daniel Jones
Daniel Jones, Saquon Barkley
Daniel Jones
Daniel Jones
Jihad Ward (55)
Dexter Lawrence (97)
Daniel Jones (8)
Daniel Jones (8), Saquon Barkley (26)
Darius Slayton (86), Daniel Jones (8)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Jihad Ward (55)
Daniel Jones (8)
Azeez Ojulari (51)
Jihad Ward (55)
Daniel Jones (8)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Daniel Jones (8), Daniel Bellinger (82)
Daniel Jones (8)
Dexter Lawrence (97)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Azeez Ojulari (51)
Isaiah Hodgins (18)
Isaiah Hodgins (18)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
T Andrew Thomas (78)
T Andrew Thomas (78)
WR Jalin Hyatt (13), CB Deonte Banks (3)
WR Jalin Hyatt (13)
CB Deonte Banks (3)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5), CB Deonte Banks (3)
WR Jalin Hyatt (13)
CB Deonte Banks (3)
CB Deonte Banks (3), OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
CB Deonte Banks (3)
Top 100 Players attending Fan Fest; Free Tickets
Giants Fan Fest, presented by Wendy's, celebrated 100 Seasons with a ceremony honoring the Top 100 Giants, autographs and panel discussions, historic displays, photos with the Lombardi trophies, and an incredible Drone Light and Fireworks show.
