A week after the New York Giants brought back the No. 1 jersey for impressive rookie receiver Malik Nabers, they did it again on Wednesday.
This time, they gave the No. 1 jersey to Rai Benjamin, an Olympic track star and lifelong Giants fan. Benjamin, from Mount Vernon, New York, won gold in the 400-meter hurdles and then, 12 hours later, helped the United States 4×400 relay team win another gold at the Paris Olympics.
Benjamin enjoyed his time with the Giants as they get ready for their season opener on Sunday at MetLife Stadium against the Minnesota Vikings.
“I said just give me a one-day contract,” said Benjamin, who received the jersey from general manager Joe Schoen.
Nabers had to get permission from the family of Hall of Famer Ray Flaherty, a receiver, to wear the number this season.
When the Giants retired No. 1 in 1935, it was the first number retired in professional football.
While talking to the media, Schoen came out of the team headquarters, saw the 27-year-old wearing the new jersey, and talking with reporters. He asked Benjamin if he wanted a helmet and cleats as well.
“Don’t tease me,” Benjamin replied with a laugh, and joked that he had earlier offered a trainer $20 to get him a pair of cleats.
On a serious note, Benjamin said he couldn’t do what NFL players do. Although he played receiver and safety in high school, he said he would never go over the middle to catch a pass.
“These guys train their entire lives for this and I run in a circle,” said Benjamin, who also won a silver medal in the 400 hurdles at the Tokyo Games in 2021.
Benjamin mentioned that several players wanted to race him and laughed when told that former Southern California track teammate Adoree Jackson might still think he can run faster.
