It’s customary for players who want a teammate’s jersey number to have to cough up a pretty penny. But for Giants rookie Kayvon Thibodeaux, he was asked to make a donation to special cause if he wanted his No. 5 in New York, and he did just that.
Thibodeaux, who wore the No. 5 at Oregon, was selected with the No. 5 pick in this year’s NFL draft but kicker Graham Gano already had the jersey number. But he worked out a deal for the jersey and Thibodeaux followed through. He donated $50,000 to Puppies Behind Bars, which provides service dogs for wounded war veterans and first responders, in addition to explosive-detection canines for law enforcement.
“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,” Gano told Giants.com. “The opportunity to give to something is exciting, and the number is obviously very special to Kayvon. While it is special to me as well, there’s a whole lot of meaning in that No. 5 to him. I just wanted to be a good teammate and also be able to support others throughout the whole process.”
