The number 44, undeniably, is the most iconic number in the history of the Syracuse football program.
Those Orange greats who have worn #44 over the years include three ‘Cuse RB legends in Jim Brown, who some experts believe is the best player in the history of college football, Heisman Trophy winner Ernie Davis and Floyd Little.
At present, Syracuse football star running back Sean Tucker, who broke the team’s single-season rushing record a stanza ago, wears #34, although many Orange fans would like to see him don number 44 before his career on the Hill culminates.
But where does ‘Cuse #44 stand across all of college football over the years? Someone who knows the Syracuse football program quite well, Super Bowl-winning head coach and former Orange player Tom Coughlin, is chiming in on this topic.
The number 44 for Syracuse football is discussed on Eli’s Places.
Former NFL quarterback Eli Manning, who won two Super Bowls with the New York Giants while Coughlin was his head coach, has a show on ESPN+ called Eli’s Places.
In an episode that is scheduled to run this Wednesday, Aug. 24, on ESPN+, Eli’s Places travels to Central New York, so that Coughlin can provide Manning with some insights into the Orange number 44.
For context, Eli’s Places is produced by NFL Films in partnership with ESPN+, according to a recent press release from ESPN. Omaha Productions, an entertainment company launched by Eli’s brother, Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning, serves as executive producer of Eli’s Places.
We were fortunate to get a preview look of this episode where Coughlin and Eli Manning discuss the ‘Cuse #44, and we wanted to pass along a few thoughts. Coughlin grew up in Waterloo, N.Y., and he loved watching Brown and Davis suit up for Syracuse football as a youngster.
Coughlin would end up playing halfback for the ‘Cuse, and his teammates there included Little and Orange legend Larry Csonka.
In their chat together, Coughlin told Manning that he believes the number 44 at Syracuse football is perhaps the most magical number in all of college football.
Brown, according to Coughlin, actually asked for the number 33 when he was on the Hill, but that number was already being worn by a senior.
So Brown requested that he receive another double-digit number, and he was given #44, Coughlin said.
Coughlin, who not only played for the Orange but also held several coaching positions with the ‘Cuse, said that while he was in high school, he wore #44 because of how much he idolized Davis.
The number 44, Coughlin says, is a huge deal on the Syracuse University campus. You either already know about this number’s tradition before setting foot on campus, or you learn about it quickly thereafter.
Coughlin and Manning, during this episode of Eli’s Places, spend some time in the film room, and they take a look at the stellar talents and different playing styles of Brown, Davis and Little.
Then Manning did a little break-down of some film on Coughlin during his halfback days for Syracuse football.
Manning, jokingly, said that his former head coach, Coughlin, carried the ball like a loaf of bread for the Orange. Too, too good.
All kidding aside, at the end of the piece we previewed, Manning said that Coughlin has convinced him that the Syracuse football number 44 is the most magical number in the history of college football.
We wholeheartedly agree. Hope you can check out this awesome episode of Eli’s Places!