The New York Giants: Where Jersey Numbers Go to Die (Glorious Deaths, That Is)
Ah, jersey numbers. Those glorious digits athletes wear on their backs, striking fear (or maybe just mild annoyance) into the hearts of their opponents. But for some truly legendary players, their numbers transcend the realm of the gridiron and enter a state of hallowed retirement. The New York Giants, with their long and storied history, have a few numbers that are permanently off-limits to future players. Let's take a stroll down memory lane, shall we?
The OG Retired Guy: Ray Flaherty (#1)
Way back in 1935, the Giants did something pretty darn radical: they retired a jersey number. That number belonged to Ray Flaherty, a bruising end who played for the Giants from 1929 to 1932. Now, Flaherty wasn't exactly Babe Ruth (although, come to think of it, seeing Ruth in a Giants uniform would've been hilarious), but he was a darn good player and a fan favorite. So, the Giants decided his number would forever be, well, number one... in retirement.
The Short-Lived Tributes: Len Grant (#3) & Ward Cuff (#14)
Tip: Don’t overthink — just keep reading.
Sometimes, things get a little... weird in the world of jersey retirement. Take Len Grant, for example. A stellar tackle and team captain, Grant's career was tragically cut short by a lightning strike (yikes!) just before training camp. The Giants, in a touching gesture, retired his number 3. However, unlike Flaherty's, this retirement wasn't exactly permanent. In 1966, a placekicker named Pete Gogolak lobbied to wear number 3, and... well, they let him. Guess lightning doesn't strike twice (except for Grant, literally).
Ward Cuff was another Giant whose number got the retirement treatment, but only for a short while. A fantastic running back, Cuff hung up his cleats in 1958. The Giants declared his number 14 off-limits. Then, in 1961, a young quarterback named Y.A. Tittle was traded to the Giants. He requested number 14, and... well, you see where this is going. The Giants, ever the pragmatists, decided to unretire 14 and let Tittle wear it. But hey, at least they tried!
The Giants' Glimmering Pantheon: Numbers 40, 42, 50, & 56
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Finally, we get to the true legends, the guys whose jerseys deserve a permanent spot in the rafters (or wherever they keep retired jerseys). We're talking about:
- Joe Morrison (#40): A versatile player who suited up at pretty much every position except punter, Morrison was a true Giant great.
- Charlie Conerly (#42): The quarterback who led the Giants to their first NFL championship in 1956, Conerly's number is a no-brainer for retirement.
- Ken Strong (#50): This tough guy played multiple positions and even handled the kicking duties. A true ironman, Strong deserves his number's place of honor.
- Lawrence Taylor (#56): One of the most feared defenders of all time, Lawrence Taylor was a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks. Let's just say quarterbacks are probably happy his number is retired.
So, there you have it! A brief (and slightly sarcastic) look at the retired numbers of the New York Giants. These numbers represent some of the greatest players to ever wear the blue and white.
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| What Numbers Are Retired By The New York Giants |
FAQ: Giants Retired Jersey Numbers Edition
How to become a New York Giants legend and get your jersey retired?
QuickTip: Repeat difficult lines until they’re clear.
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Easy! Just win a bunch of championships, redefine your position, and strike fear into the hearts of your opponents. Easy peasy, right?
How many jersey numbers have the Giants retired?
There are currently four officially retired numbers: 40, 42, 50, and 56.
Tip: Avoid distractions — stay in the post.
How about number 14? Isn't that retired too?
Sort of. The Giants unofficially retired 14 for Ward Cuff, but then let Y.A. Tittle wear it. So, it's in a weird jersey retirement purgatory.
Is number 1 going to be retired again?
Probably not. Pete Gogolak seems to have permanently broken the curse of the number 3 retirement.
How can I convince the Giants to retire my favorite player's number?
Start by winning a few Super Bowls for them. That usually helps.
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