Malik Nabers to wear No. 1 with permission from Flaherty family

Flaherty was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1976. He played for the Giants from 1928-29 and 1931-35 and helped them advance to the NFL Championship Game in 1933, 1934 and 1935. Flaherty suggested to coach Steve Owen that the Giants wear sneakers in the icy conditions at the Polo Grounds in the 1934 championship game, known as the “Sneakers Game.” The Giants took advantage of solid footing in the second half and rolled to a 30-13 victory. Flaherty introduced the screen pass in the 1937 title game when Washington earned a 28-21 victory over the Chicago Bears. He spent the 1930 season coaching at Gonzaga. Flaherty finished with an 80-37-5 record as a coach with Boston, Washington, New York Yankees, and Chicago Hornets. He passed away in 1994.

“I think this was kind of a unique circumstance in that the number was retired so long ago, and that people don’t know who Ray Flaherty was,” Mara said. “So, I think it was an opportunity to highlight his career a little bit and tell people about him.”

Precedent exists for the Giants re-issuing a retired number as No. 14 is retired in honor of both Ward Cuff and Hall of Famer Y.A. Tittle.

Cuff’s nine-year Giants career ended in 1945, and his jersey number was retired the following year. A wingback, fullback, halfback, defensive back and kicker, he rushed for 1,766 yards on 330 carries (a 5.3-yard average) and caught 101 passes for 1,477 yards. Cuff scored 18 touchdowns (six rushing, 12 receiving) and made 31 of 70 field goal attempts and 98 of 102 extra point tries. He also had a 12.1-yard punt return average and 13 interceptions.

Wellington Mara, who was close friends with Cuff, said no Giant would wear the number after Cuff retired. But when Tittle was traded to the Giants in 1961, he requested and was given No. 14.

Tittle played four seasons for the Giants. In 1962, he completed 200 passes in 375 attempts for 3,224 yards. His 33 touchdowns set an NFL record and his seven touchdown passes vs. Washington tied another mark. The latter remains the Giants’ single-game mark. Tittle had the greatest season of his 17-year pro career in 1963, leading the league in passing with 221 completions in 367 attempts for 3,145 yards and 36 touchdowns, which is still the Giants’ record.

Nabers hopes to set franchise records wearing No. 1. He initially approached general manager Joe Schoen and coach Brian Daboll about changing numbers.

“They mentioned it to me and my position on it was that I would ask, but we would not do it unless the Flaherty family was agreeable to it,” Mara said. “And fortunately, they were, and I think it’s a nice story.”

So, of course, does Malik Nabers.

“It shows how much this organization wants to make me a key factor in the offense,” he said. “How much they’re invested in me. It shows how much this organization put trust on me.

“I heard this is the first number ever retired in sports history. So, I’m sure this number is going to blow up when everybody sees me wearing it.”

Flaherty, who splits his time between Hayden Lake, Idaho and Edmonton, will be in MetLife Stadium for the opening game, when the Giants will celebrate their 100th season. He looks forward to meeting the Giants’ new No. 1

“I’ve been following Malik in training camp as best I can from here, and it does seem like he’s having a hell of a camp,” Flaherty said. “And I wish him the best. I’ve got a vested interest in him now.”