Syracuse Football: Restoring the Number 44

Let’s take it way back, back to when Syracuse football was an absolute powerhouse. There was an era of tremendous Syracuse football players and many bowl games and even a National Championship that we won. In a bigger picture, surrounding this time was the number 44 and the greats who donned the jersey number. Jim Brown was the first Orange football player to start the legend of the number 44. In a time where racism was prominent, Brown did not let that discourage him from bringing his talents to the field. From 1954-56, Brown made sure he was more than just a fantastic player on the field.

Brown led the Orange to a Cotton Bowl, and later became the NFL’s all-time leading rusher, playing for the Cleveland Browns in their dominant era. Pretty big deal, huh? In his nine years in the league he was the lead rusher for eight of those. Brown was also voted into the College and Professional Football Hall of Fame for his performance on the field and his courage and maturity at a time where him being on the field was not accepted across America.

Nov 23, 2013; Syracuse, NY, USA; Syracuse Orange alum Floyd Little walks off the field against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the second quarter at the Carrier Dome. Pittsburgh defeated Syracuse 17-16. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

Jim Brown mentored a young Ernie Davis and had convinced him to come to Syracuse after being recruited by several universities for his tremendous athletic ability. Davis played from 1959-61, he marked a huge milestone by becoming the first African-American to win the Heisman Trophy in 1961. Davis also led SU to the 1959 National Championship game, in which we won. Davis was signed to play alongside of Jim Brown in Cleveland but passed away from Leukemia in 1963. Later he was inducted to the College Football Hall of Fame but his legacy lives on.

The next great to rock the number 44 was running back Floyd Little. From 1964-1966, Little made great waves in college football. Averaging 199 yards per game, Little was a three-time All American and helped SU reach the Sugar Bowl (1964) and the Gator Bowl (1966.) He moved on to a career with the Denver Broncos where he won rushing titles in ’70 and ’71. Like his predecessors, Little was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. Today, Little works for Syracuse as the special assistant to the athletics director.

These three legends were apart of a time where the Syracuse football program was a place where recruits wanted to be and fans wanted to come out for every single game. The university and community have embraced the spirit of 44 and all of the greatness it has brought to them. The zip code for the University was changed to 13244 and the telephone exchange is now 443. Ernie Davis Hall, in memory of the late Syracuse great, was opened in 2009, the first new dormitory on campus since 1966. The football teams logo has even been changed to a 44 with a flag-like symbol above the numbers.

Since 1998 not one player had worn the number and in 2005, the topic of retiring the jersey started to come up. Jim Brown on talking about the number had said, “I think it probably should be (retired), I think it’s very difficult to try to pick an individual prematurely that’s going to be able to fulfill the shoes of 44.” So in 2005, with the blessing of former athletic director Daryl Gross along with Jim Brown and Floyd Little, the jersey was retired.

“When 44 went away, it took away some of our tradition, and when you talk about Syracuse University football, the first thing that comes out of a lot of peoples’ mouths is the No. 44.” – Peter Sala, Interim Athletic Director

This past May, with interim athletic director Pete Sala in the mix, himself and Floyd Little felt the number should come out of retirement and utilized on the field. Sala had stated during the announcement, “When 44 went away, it took away some of our tradition, and when you talk about Syracuse University football, the first thing that comes out of a lot of peoples’ mouths is the No. 44.” The player who gets to wear the number will have to be extraordinary and will be voted on by a four-five member panel including Little. The number will not be grade restricted, meaning even a junior or senior inherit it, but it will most likely be awarded to a running back.

The return of this number is extremely controversial because of the legacy it holds and that fact that there might not be anyone who can live up to the expectations the number presents. Little has stated this person must be an exceptional athlete, student, and member of the community. On the other hand, this could be a turn around for the slump Syracuse football has been in for the last few years. Maybe it will give the players and fans that magic to return Syracuse to a dominant football school. The legend of 44 was alive in a time where great football was played in the Carrier Dome and anywhere else the Orange stepped on the field. It is also a great recruiting mechanism and whoever dons the number will sure be noticed by fans, opponents, and NFL scouts as well. Let’s hope with the restoration of 44, there is a restoration of championship football for ‘Cuse.