Call me a bad fan, but I had no idea my favorite franchise retired the No. 1 jersey until the news broke that Malik Nabers would be donning the number in his rookie season. It took a google of “Paris Campbell on the Giants” to un-learn the “Mandela Effect” going on in my brain that he wore the number as a fringe-level slot receiver a few years ago. Turns out he wore “0”, and no Giant had worn the “1” jersey in 89 years. The reason? Some guy named Ray Flaherty.
Turns out that Flaherty was more than just some guy. Flaherty, who was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1976, wore the number during his time with New York between 1927 and 1935. He then spent more time on the Gridiron as a coach, winning championships with the Redskins before heading to Germany because of some fascist with a short-man complex causing a scene in Europe in the late 1930’s and early 40’s.
In those 8 years of pro-football (two of which were spent playing for the New York Yankees before the name change), Flaherty spent time lining up as a defensive end and the 1930’s version of a wide receiver. The image of what the most popular position in football looked like in the pre-World War II era is about as hard to picture as Daniel Jones ever holding up the Lombardi Trophy, but the late Flaherty the “Justin Jefferson” of his era nonetheless.
In an accomplishment that is almost as hilarious as it is impressive, the 29-year-old claimed the receiving triple crown in 1932 after collecting 21 receptions, 350 yards, and 5 touchdowns. He finished his career with 20 receiving touchdowns on 41 receptions, a 49% reception-touchdown rate that once again, is almost as hilarious as it is impressive.
After shipping up to Germany, which, in an ironic twist I appreciate much more than I should, Malik Nabers is set to do this season when the Giants play the Panthers on November 10, Flaherty returned to New York for a brief stint as a head coach before retiring from football in 1949.
Ray Flaherty died at the age of 90 years old while living on the beaches in Idaho, which apparently exist. Now, Malik Nabers takes over his number, and some of his legacy, as the Giants begin their 100th season as a franchise. If you watch the podcast you are well aware by now how high I am on the prospects of Nabers becoming an elite receiving option in New York. This news just made me raise the ceiling even higher.
If the family of one of the greatest early football players believes in the Giants rookie to deliver a great career wearing their family members number, I believe in him as well. Let’s break 1,500 yards this year Malik.
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