It's got to be one of the most unique patches to ever grace a team uniform. It's certainly the one that we are asked about most frequently. It's the NY Giants "Spider" patch of course.
Carl Ford Lockhart played college football at North Texas University. The long and lean defensive back was drafted by the New York Giants in the thirteenth round of the 1965 draft. Upon his arrival at Giants training camp, Emlen Tunnell, the Giants defensive backs coach, gave Carl the nickname Spider. The popular and talented Spider spent his entire ten year career with the Giants. He was a Pro Bowler in 1966 and 1968 and led the league in defensive tds in '68.
Spider retired from football in 1975 at 32. On July 9, 1986, at the age of 43, which was also his uniform number, Spider succombed to cancer. In his honor, the "Spider patch" was worn by the Giants throughout the Super Bowl winning 1986 season.
So now you know.