Simms Family Drama: No. 11 Jersey Stays Retired for Giants’ Rookie Abdul Carter

The New York Giants’ newest first-round pick, linebacker Abdul Carter, has found himself at the center of a jersey number controversy that has captivated the NFL world, and perhaps surprisingly, ignited a family feud within the household of Giants legend Phil Simms. Carter, selected third overall in the 2025 NFL Draft, initially inquired about wearing the revered No. 56, famously worn by Hall of Fame linebacker Lawrence Taylor. However, Taylor himself firmly rejected the request, advising the young player to forge his own legacy with a new number.

Undeterred, Carter then set his sights on No. 11, a number synonymous with Phil Simms, the Giants’ Super Bowl XXI-winning quarterback. Simms, known for his stoic demeanor on the field, publicly expressed openness to the idea of relinquishing his retired number to the promising rookie. This sparked a debate not only among Giants fans but also within the Simms family, ultimately leading to a decision that highlights the emotional connection fans and families have to retired jersey numbers.

The internal family debate was brought to light by Chris Simms, Phil’s son and a prominent NFL analyst for NBC. Chris shared the details of the discussions on PFT Live with Mike Florio, revealing the depth of emotion surrounding the potential unretirement of No. 11. According to Chris, the women in the Simms family – his mother, Diana, and his sister, Deidre – were vehemently opposed to the idea, so much so that the discussion reportedly led to tears.

"I knew they threw a fit," Chris Simms revealed on the show. "I think it’s going to the point where literally there was like, they were shedding tears. I’m not trying to embarrass my mom or my sister, but that’s how important it was to them."

Chris described a phone call he had with his father after Phil publicly stated his willingness to consider Carter’s request. However, Deidre overheard the conversation and was outraged that Chris seemed to be supporting his father’s position.

"’I thought you were going to be on my side, how dare you. Forget it, I don’t want to talk to you and we’re hanging up,’" Chris recounted, mimicking his sister’s exasperated tone.

This exchange, according to Chris, signaled the involvement of the Simms matriarch, Diana. "That’s when I knew, ‘Uh oh, mom and sister have gotten involved here.’ And mom and sister have one more vote than me and brother (Matt), and I don’t know where my brother stands on this," he said.

Phil Simms, recognizing the strength of his wife and daughter’s convictions, apparently attempted to enlist Chris’s help in swaying their opinions. However, Chris recognized the futility of the effort, acknowledging that the women’s stance held significant weight within the family.

The emotional reaction from Diana and Deidre underscores the personal significance of jersey numbers, particularly those that have been retired to honor a player’s contributions to a team’s history. For many fans, these numbers represent more than just a digit; they symbolize memories, triumphs, and a connection to a beloved player.

The Simms family’s decision reflects a broader debate within the NFL regarding the practice of unretiring jersey numbers. While some believe that retired numbers should remain untouched as a sign of respect for the players who wore them with distinction, others argue that allowing current players to wear these numbers can serve as a source of inspiration and a way to connect with the team’s past.

The NFL has seen instances where retired numbers have been unretired, often with the permission of the player or their family. This past season, the Giants themselves allowed rookie Malik Nabers to wear No. 1 after receiving permission from the family of Ray Flaherty, a former Giants player and coach. Similarly, in this year’s draft class, Warren Moon granted Cam Ward, the top overall pick, the right to wear his retired No. 1 with the Tennessee Titans.

However, these instances are often met with mixed reactions, with some fans expressing concern that the unretirement diminishes the legacy of the player who originally wore the number. In the case of Phil Simms’ No. 11, the strong opposition from his family ultimately led to the decision to keep it retired.

"Ultimately, he’s not going to do it, he got outvoted by his family, specifically his daughter and his wife, but that’s where it stands right now," Chris Simms confirmed.

With both his initial requests denied, Abdul Carter will now have to choose a new number as he embarks on his NFL career. While the jersey number drama may seem trivial to some, it highlights the passion and emotional investment that fans have in their teams and their players. Carter will now have the opportunity to create his own legacy and potentially have his number retired one day. Until then, he will have to settle for a number that is all his own, free from the weight of past legacies. The pressure is on him to perform.