New York Giants edge rusher Abdul Carter has quickly taken notice. Drafted to the Giants less than a month ago, Carter is starting to see just how important sports are in the New York City area. In fact, Carter recently delivered a noteworthy statement ahead of Game 3 at Madison Square Garden.

As you’ll recall, Carter — perhaps because of youthful naivete — previously angled for Nos. 11 and 56, which are retired by the Giants for legends Phil Simms and Lawrence Taylor (probably the NFL’s best defensive player ever). Simms and Taylor both wisely said no.

After a couple weeks of browsing, New York Giants first-round pick Abdul Carter selected the No. 51 jersey off the rack of available digits on Friday.