#44

[Dick_in_MI]

SU had a great opportunity on national television to make the #44 relevant again with a great RB in 2021 wearing the jersey instead of having fans watch black & white videos of great RB’s from the 1950’s and 1960’s. In my opinion this was yet another missed opportunity by SU Athletics.

The other problem we have is that when talking about 44, only Brown, Davis, and Little are ever mentioned. Michael Owens was more than Bill's brother...ask any fan who was at the SU-WVU game in 1987 which 44 scored the 2-pointer that preserved the undefeated season. Rob Konrad may not have been a great 44 tailback but he was one of the greatest SU fullbacks and he wore #44.

The other problem about #44 is that some great players get lost in the shuffle; neither the great Joe Morris nor the too-often overlooked Walter Reyes wore 44. They are the top two rushers in SU history but they never get mentioned during TV games. No reason why either should not be mentioned in the same breath as the guys who have statues at Plaza 44. We should not make the same mistake with Sean Tucker.

If we are going to have a tradition, it should be a living tradition and the guys who really deserve to wear the number get a chance to do so.

 

[Finwad32]

No #44 tonight or this year according to John Wildhack on the radio this morning.

First thing he’s said that I’m 100% in disagreement with. There’s no reason why not to do it.

 

[Deleted member 8116]

So typical of Syracuse. Really shouldn’t be surprised

If that’s the case, then they just don’t know what their doing and it’s a huge missed opportunity. I don’t see this program making any meaningful strides towards removing themselves from the basement of the ACC.

I said previously, that this could be a nice little recruiting tool in the age of NIL. Obviously, you’re not going to give the # out to a poor character player and they need to earn it. It just seems that Tucker not only earned it through his play, but also his character. He seems like a very humble and respectful kid.

 

[tep624]

First thing he’s said that I’m 100% in disagreement with. There’s no reason why not to do it.

Well there is a reason - Jim Brown is being a child about it. And put me squarely in the camp of Floyd's opinion mattering more because he was actually heavily involved with the program in his later years and the attempt to resurrect it after it cratered. What has Jim Brown done for the program over the last 20 years other than show up to a few events where he was being honored?

Also, learning about the man that Ernie was - I 1000% doubt he wouldn't support this.

 

[syrBossHogg]

 

[EuclidBred]

IMO this would be the wrong game to have Tucker debut #44. This would have been the perfect thing for the Albany game this year. No need to have added pressure for the kid, the program, or anyone against one of the best defenses in the nation.

 

[javadoc]

IMO this would be the wrong game to have Tucker debut #44. This would have been the perfect thing for the Albany game this year. No need to have added pressure for the kid, the program, or anyone against one of the best defenses in the nation.

Maybe he doesn't mind the pressure. Every year we see blue chip QB's going to schools with plenty of blue chips in front of them, assuming that they're the guy. Maybe Tucker relishes the challenge.

 

[llandz]

The biggest mistake to me is that he even said this. Why, why, why, would you kill this hype that has been building? You have a very positive conversation going on about our football program and hey this hype might help sell tickets and build interest again in the football program. Hype that might help push the team over the winning football line going forward. This is a public relations killer and I think a fundraising opportunity killer. Guess what? He didn't have to answer the question if it was asked. He could have just said you will have to watch to see. What does that do? It gets people coming to and watching the games. At the very least it keeps football as a relevant topic.

 

[baggerbob]

SU Athletics does not seem to understand the fact that the last time the #44 was relevant when it was worn by Floyd Little in 1966. All we see is grainy black & white videos of great RB’s wearing the #44.

Its time to make it relevant again for the younger fans and they m]are missing a great opportunity with a RB & person like Sean Tucker.

Missing a great marketing opportunity does not surprise me with SU Athletics. What they should have done all week is create a buzz about this game by announcing that the #44 was returning to the field tonight. I guess that’s what happens when you don’t have a marketing department.

This is another reason why he shouldn't be the AD. After all the bad publicity he has had in the past 5 months that has gone nationwide.
You have an opportunity for great publicity on TV Friday night reinstating the legendary number, and you say no.

 

[Rocco]

Completely agree. I’ve never quite understood why numbers are retired.

SU Football has no traditions anymore. Other schools have several. #44 is the one that is ours. Showcase, use it, market the hell out of it.

There is no better player more deserving than Sean Tucker. He is an incredible young man, both on the football field and off. A true exemplary player, teammate and ambassador for our beloved program.

 

[Finwad32]

The biggest mistake to me is that he even said this. Why, why, why, would you kill this hype that has been building? You have a very positive conversation going on about our football program and hey this hype might help sell tickets and build interest again in the football program. Hype that might help push the team over the winning football line going forward. This is a public relations killer and I think a fundraising opportunity killer. Guess what? He didn't have to answer the question if it was asked. He could have just said you will have to watch to see. What does that do? It gets people coming to and watching the games. At the very least it keeps football as a relevant topic.

Very well said! Makes no sense!

 

[Jeepers]

I’m still waiting for all the great things the “Yay Wildhack“ crowd got us excited for. He seems like a dud, so far. Sorry to say.

At some point, this program needs to leave some negative things in the past. A good start would be unretiring 44. We have very few traditions at this school, and those that we have nobody seems to care about. Fix THAT. Was renovating the dome just throwing money at the problem? Sure feels like it.

I work in a creative industry, and the job I currently have is a major brand and has been known to let serious typos out the door. It’s also the most poorly run company I’ve ever worked at. Letting typos out in the wild, more than once, tells me all I need to know about the people running this show.

 

[EuclidBred]

Maybe he doesn't mind the pressure. Every year we see blue chip QB's going to schools with plenty of blue chips in front of them, assuming that they're the guy. Maybe Tucker relishes the challenge.

Totally and I think/hope he does too! But IMO there is no reason to add extra pressure to this by making a change midseason, on national TV, against one of the best defenses in the country.

Let him debut it Game 1 of 2022.

 

[UpstateSM]

Totally and I think/hope he does too! But IMO there is no reason to add extra pressure to this by making a change midseason, on national TV, against one of the best defenses in the country.

Let him debut it Game 1 of 2022.

It may add extra pressure but if Tucker ran out of the tunnel in 44, runs for a blue bill, and we beat Clemson it’s an all-time story. On a Friday night on national television. Would 100% get a segment on gameday in the morning.

Scared money

 

[orangecuse]

They probably would misspell his name with an instead of a T.

 

[Finwad32]

Who wants to start the 44 chant tonight?

 

[UnknownOrange]

<----- *AHEM*. Your move, Johnny boy.

 

[690West]

 

[JeffCuse]

Potential secondary benefit of giving Tucker the 44 sooner than later.

I think it would REALLY elevate him that much further as a legit Heisman candidate. Like...statistically he is now. But...if he is also the guy that the 44 came back for, that becomes that much bigger a national story. And I think the more big good stories we can get the better right now, both for his individual Heisman chances, and for the rep of the program.

 

[wiseman3]

I'm sure there's a logical answer as to why, but let's go with some conspiracy theories because they're fun:

Either

1. Jim Brown said if you do it, you lose all my support.
2. Rob Konrad said he'd agree only if we hire Addazio.
3. Sean Tucker indicated that he'll be entering his name in the transfer portal after this season (we'll call this one the kcsu special).
4. It costs too much to get 3 new jerseys made.
5. Daryl Gross is the most powerful person in the history of SU athletics, and he does not give approval.

Who cares if we "lose Jim Browns support". What support? The dude is 85 years old and is not a good person. He hasn't been to a game in years.

 

[AAM62]

This is another reason why he shouldn't be the AD. After all the bad publicity he has had in the past 5 months that has gone nationwide.
You have an opportunity for great publicity on TV Friday night reinstating the legendary number, and you say no.

They made it clear its not all up to him. Sheesh.

 

[wiseman3]

They made it clear its not all up to him. Sheesh.

He's the AD. Of course it is up to him if he truly wants it

 

[UpstateSM]

So someone said he shouldn't wear it and ADJW/Dino won't do it anyways. Grosssss

 

[wiseman3]

As the AD, Wildhack needs to be making decisions that are in the best interest of the program. NOT appeasing grumpy old guys who have little to no impact on SU football anymore. This is turning into a disaster.

 

[Dick_in_MI]

Who cares if we "lose Jim Browns support". What support? The dude is 85 years old and is not a good person. He hasn't been to a game in years.

He was at a game in the Dome within the past ten years. Can't recall the opponent but the opposing fans around us gave him a standing O when he was introduced. Nice to see classy, knowledgeable opponents. That is not always the case.