The Abdul Carter jersey number drama is finally at an end.
Carter will wear No. 51 at rookie minicamp, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Friday, per sources informed of the decision. The team later confirmed Carter's selection, along with those of the rest of the rookie class.
"I feel like it's going to have to grow on me a little bit, but it's feeling good right now," Carter said after Friday's rookie minicamp about wearing No. 51. "It's pretty much what we had available. It's a good number."
Carter added that No. 51 was "pretty much set" as his number for the regular season.
"I'm just happy to be out here playing football," the first-round selection said. "That's all I'm worried about."
It's worth noting that rookie numbers are subject to change before the start of the campaign.
While most number selections are superfluous, Carter's situation has ballooned into an outsized situation in New York. The No. 3 overall pick was denied Lawrence Taylor's No. 56, and Phil Simms' family rejected letting the rookie wear No. 11.
With the two retired numbers remaining out of circulation, Carter went with an idea that others, like Good Morning Football’s Kyle Brandt, suggested: a mashup of 56 and 11.
Several famous linebackers have donned No. 51, including Dick Butkus, Bryan Cox, Sam Mills, Takeo Spikes, etc.
Perhaps the best part of Carter picking No. 51? It's freely available and requires no permission, bargaining or other drama.
