It should be given out every year to a player (preferably junior or senior) who exemplifies the qualitities of a well-rounded young man, both on and off the field. First and foremost, he needs to a leader on his team when no one is watching. Needs to show leadership qualities during the following:
- During off-season workouts, he should be at the helm of keeping his teammates responsible
- mandatory workouts - keeping everyone in line
- spring ball
- fall ball
- helping out the new guys get acclimated to college life, but more importantly, be willing to help them through learning curves
- maintaining a strong visual community presence
- a leader in the locker room and huddle
- have a great football head on his shoulders
- be an impact player.
Yes, those are alot of prereq's, but there should be alot of things that you should exemplify. There should be alot on your shoulders when wearing such a storied number of our program. The history and tradition of #44 speaks for itself. If it were ever to be taken out of "retirement", it should not just be "handed out" to the best player on the team. Anyone should be able to get the number who represents this football program proudly at all times. Don't care if it's an RB, QB, WR, OL, DL, CB, etc. How cool would it have been for Rob Long to have worn #44 during the Pinstripe Bowl?