Giants Receiver Jalin Hyatt Gets This Jersey Number
Former New York Giants receiver Odell Beckham Jr, now with the Baltimore Ravens, might have (kiddingly) asked Giants rookie receiver Jalin Hyatt not to break any of his club records, but he didn’t say anything about wearing his old jersey number.
Hyatt, the Giants’ third-round pick, has changed his jersey number from 84 to 13, the latter number, of course, made famous by Beckham during his years with the Giants (2014-2018) and most recently worn by receiver David Sills V, who per a report is signing with the Broncos practice squad.
"I just want to start my own legacy with it and do my best for the Giants in number 13," Hyatt told reporters about his new number.
Hyatt said he consulted with a few of his teammates about taking the number and came to the decision to do it. "They told me, “You should do it”, so I decided to make that change," he said. "I can’t wait to go out there Week 1 with that jersey number and do what I do."
Hyatt, who knew of the history of No. 13 with Beckham, also knows of the receiver's history as a Giant.
"I was a fan when I was young watching him," he said. "High school, college, and now being here, but just with the jersey number, it’s just one of those things I wanted to start my own legacy. I like low numbers, and if I had to choose a number, it’d be 11, but it’s retired here, so can’t go with that one, so 13 would be the next option."
As for the records Beckham teased the younger receiver about, the Giants' first-round draft pick in 2014, became the first rookie to post at least 90 receptions and ten receiving touchdowns in a season after he logged 91 catches, 1,305 receiving yards, and 12 touchdowns in 12 games with the Giants.
Although Beckham was limited to 12 games in his rookie campaign because of a hamstring injury, he still managed to set an NFL record for most receptions and receiving yards in a player's first 12 games.
He also broke Giants franchise records previously held by Hakeem Nicks in receptions (252-202), yards (3,670-3,034), and touchdown catches (33-24) over three years.
Hyatt, who has dazzled onlookers this summer with his speed and ability, might be hard-pressed to match Beckham’s rookie numbers, considering that he was the Giants offense when Beckham arrived.
These days, the Giants have other options they can spread the ball around to. But one thing is for sure. Hyatt, like Beckham, doesn’t lack in the confidence department, so whatever opportunities he gets, you can be sure the rookie out of Tennessee will make the most of it.
Other Giants jersey number changes/assignments of note:
- Cornerback Deonte Banks switches from 36 to No. 25, conjuring up memories of another Giant cornerback who once wore No. 25 and was an underrated yet key part of two Giants Super Bowl championships: Mark Collins.
- Linebacker Isaiah Simmons switches from 46 to No. 19
- New defensive end/outside linebacker Carlos “Boogie” Basham will wear No. 45. He wore No. 55 the last two seasons in Buffalo, but fellow defender Jihad Ward currently wears that number.
- Defensive back Gervarrius Owens switches from 31 to 39. He wore 32 in college (2019-2021), but that number has been retired by the Giants in honor of Al Blozis, who played just three seasons for the Giants before enlisting in the Army and being sent overseas to fight in World War II, only to be killed six weeks after being deployed to France.
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