#5 Proves To Be Costly For New York Giants First Round Pick

The number 5 means something to New York Giants first round draft pick, Kayvon Thibodeaux. The defensive sensation out of the University of Oregon terrorized collegiate quarterbacks while donning the number five for the Ducks. Two weeks ago, Thibodeaux was selected 5th overall in the 2022 NFL Draft by new general manager Joe Schoen. So, you could say that the number 5 is pretty special to Kayvon.

However, there is one problem. One of Kavyon's new teammates wears #5. No big deal, right? It's just a number. Maybe Thibodeaux could wear #72 like great New York Giants of the past, such as Osi Umenyiora? Thibodeaux wanted #5.

Giants kicker Graham Gano is the new teammate that owned the coveted digit and had a particular feeling on draft night. "I was like, man, I guarantee if we draft him, he's going to want my number," the kicker told giants.com. This had to get settled pretty quickly because the NFL franchise wanted to begin selling merchandise promoting their top draft choice.

Gano was willing to give up the number but not for free. According to giants.com, the number cost the rookie $50,000! Now, that money isn't going to Graham Gano. The pass-rusher, at Gano's request, will make a donation to Puppies Behind Bars, which provides service dogs for wounded war veterans and first responders, in addition to explosive-detection canines for law enforcement.

According to Dan Salomone of giants.com, the kicker was a pretty good sport about the whole thing. "When he said he was willing to give to that, I can be No. 9 and maybe in 10-15 years when he retires and I'm still kicking, I can get No. 5 back," joked the 35-year-old Gano, who also wore No. 9 during his Pro Bowl run in Carolina. Now, hopefully, NFL quarterbacks will begin to fear the number 5 for Big Blue.