The New York Giants are one of the NFL’s most storied franchises, with a legacy built on championship moments, legendary figures, and trailblazing history. That legacy is reflected in the team’s collection of retired jersey numbers, each honoring a player (or coach) who made an indelible mark on the organization and the game of football.
Giants’ Retired Numbers and Their Legends
- #1 – Ray Flaherty Pro Football Hall of Fame, 1976 (Coach) Ray Flaherty holds the distinction of having the first number ever retired in NFL history. Though inducted as a coach, his contributions as a player and leader remain monumental.
- #4 – Tuffy Leemans Pro Football Hall of Fame, 1978 A dynamic back in the early era of the league, Leemans left a lasting legacy with his grit and versatility.
- #7 – Mel Hein Pro Football Hall of Fame, 1963 A two-way player and ironman, Hein was one of the league’s earliest greats and remains one of the few linemen to win NFL MVP.
- #10 – Eli Manning A two-time Super Bowl MVP, Manning is cemented in Giants history for leading the franchise to victories over the dominant New England Patriots.
- #11 – Phil Simms The quarterback of the Giants’ Super Bowl XXI-winning team, Simms’ legacy is defined by toughness and leadership.
- #14 – Y.A. Tittle / Ward Cuff Y.A. Tittle, Pro Football Hall of Fame, 1971 Tittle’s late-career brilliance revived the franchise in the 1960s, while Cuff was one of the Giants’ early stars.
- #16 – Frank Gifford Pro Football Hall of Fame, 1977 Gifford was the face of the Giants for over a decade and later became a voice of the NFL as a broadcaster.
- #32 – Al Blozis A promising lineman whose career was cut tragically short when he was killed during World War II.
- #40 – Joe Morrison A versatile offensive weapon and longtime fan favorite.
- #42 – Charlie Conerly The quarterback who led the Giants during their golden years of the 1950s.
- #50 – Ken Strong Pro Football Hall of Fame, 1967 One of the league’s earliest stars, Strong excelled as both a runner and kicker.
- #56 – Lawrence Taylor Pro Football Hall of Fame, 1999 Widely regarded as the most disruptive defensive player in NFL history, Taylor revolutionized the linebacker position.
- #92 – Michael Strahan Pro Football Hall of Fame, 2014 The franchise’s all-time sack leader and a key figure in the Giants’ Super Bowl XLII triumph.
Giants’ Hall of Fame and Ring of Honor Legacy
- 32 Giants legends have been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
- 49 players have been enshrined in the Giants Ring of Honor, celebrating their lasting contributions to the franchise.
A Missing Legend: Emlen Tunnell
One glaring omission from the Giants’ Ring of Honor is Emlen Tunnell, a trailblazer in every sense. Tunnell was:
- The first African American player in Giants history.
- The first African American inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1967.
Despite these historic achievements and his enormous impact on the franchise and the sport, Tunnell is still not included in the Ring of Honor — a surprising and overdue oversight in the Giants’ otherwise proud legacy of honoring greatness.
As the Giants continue to celebrate their history, fans and historians alike hope to see Emlen Tunnell rightfully recognized among the other greats in the Ring of Honor. His contributions not only helped shape the franchise but also paved the way for future generations.
