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The Daily OrangeSU students, alumni try to bring back #44
By Talia Pollock
Posted: 1/13/09, 2:52 AM EST Section: News
Flynn said current SU students and football players were born in the mid- to late-1980s, so they don't care what happened in the 1950s.
Still, one "Restore 44" supporter, Jeff Lutz, said he believes that 44 just needs to remain in play somehow.
Lutz, a 2006 SU graduate, suggested the players get permission from former players like Brown and Little to wear the number. Others suggested the number be given to a captain.
Many alumni, who have watched the Syracuse football program fall from a nationally ranked football team, fear that with the number retired, fans are beginning to forget the legend behind it.
Sean Keeley, a 2000 graduate, said the university will lose its connection to 44 if it isn't worn.
"Will a teenager in 2050 care about SU players from 1950?" Keeley said. "Will they even know who they were? Will Jim Brown and Ernie Davis be anything more than just names on a list?"
But in spite of the growing movement, SU Athletic Director Daryl Gross said he plans to stick by the decision to retire 44.
"Just like Major League Baseball has retired Jackie Robinson's number 42 for all of baseball, we have retired number 44 out of respect for Ernie Davis, the first African-American to win the Heisman trophy, as well as Jim Brown, the greatest football player ever, and Floyd Little, our only three-time All-American," Gross said in a statement.
"Out of respect to these men and their accomplishments, number 44 will remain retired," Gross said. "The number 44 will always be displayed prominently in the Dome so no one ever forgets the legacy."
tpollock@syr.edu
Still, one "Restore 44" supporter, Jeff Lutz, said he believes that 44 just needs to remain in play somehow.
Lutz, a 2006 SU graduate, suggested the players get permission from former players like Brown and Little to wear the number. Others suggested the number be given to a captain.
Many alumni, who have watched the Syracuse football program fall from a nationally ranked football team, fear that with the number retired, fans are beginning to forget the legend behind it.
Sean Keeley, a 2000 graduate, said the university will lose its connection to 44 if it isn't worn.
"Will a teenager in 2050 care about SU players from 1950?" Keeley said. "Will they even know who they were? Will Jim Brown and Ernie Davis be anything more than just names on a list?"
But in spite of the growing movement, SU Athletic Director Daryl Gross said he plans to stick by the decision to retire 44.
"Just like Major League Baseball has retired Jackie Robinson's number 42 for all of baseball, we have retired number 44 out of respect for Ernie Davis, the first African-American to win the Heisman trophy, as well as Jim Brown, the greatest football player ever, and Floyd Little, our only three-time All-American," Gross said in a statement.
"Out of respect to these men and their accomplishments, number 44 will remain retired," Gross said. "The number 44 will always be displayed prominently in the Dome so no one ever forgets the legacy."
tpollock@syr.edu
Viewing Comments 1 - 6 of 6
scott
posted 1/13/09 @ 8:46 AM EST
If Dr. Gross really wanted to honor Ernie Davis they would figure out some way to rename the Carrier dome in his honor. The tradition and relevance of #44 will be lost over time if it stays retired. (Continued…)
Dominic
posted 1/13/09 @ 8:53 AM EST
What the hell does Gross know about SU tradition? This guy is a joke and should have been gone a long time ago along with Cantor. Bring back 44 and the OrangeMEN!
Bob Paine '74
posted 1/13/09 @ 10:52 AM EST
"44" has been retired and unretired several times by the University. It was first retired in either the late 1960's or early 1970's and was the unretired to bring a highly touted recruit (I believe it was Ron Page) to campus. (Continued…)
M
posted 1/13/09 @ 2:01 PM EST
the football team is too much of a disgrace now for any of those players to wear such a prestigious number. the last thing we need is them making a mockery out of 1 of the greatest football players in SU history
Brian
posted 1/13/09 @ 3:06 PM EST
It's pretty apparent that Dr. Gross just continues to have no idea what this number means...he just doesn't get it. Maybe some day we can catch Doug Marrone's attention, at least he understands - truly understands - this number's unique place in SU football history. (Continued…)
Dennis Wesolowski '76
posted 1/14/09 @ 2:33 AM EST
44 should stay retired. If you want to honor the number give a current senior class player on the team the honor of wearing it on the last home game of the year. (Continued…)
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