If 44 was retired in the 60's maybe

[GoSU96]

Bud would have a point.

But it wasn't, so he doesn't.

It was a living tradition worn by multiple players with varying degrees of performance. The number is the brand, the number is the tradition, not a singular player who wore it who was an all time great at the school. It's bigger than any one guy.

Mike Owens' impact in being part of the backfield that helped bring back the program and was a key contributor in an undefeated season was huge. So what if he wasn't an all time great. Same goes for Richardson and Konrad, key contributors during the best extended run this program has ever had.

If they can still hand out 22 in lax, which is every much tied to the best who have ever played the sport as a number Jim Brown wore, they can give a running back 44.

 

[Rocco]

Spot on.

Time to become RB U.

#44

 

[TheCusian]

Bud would have a point. But it wasn't, so he doesn't. It was a living tradition worn by multiple players with varying degrees of performance. The number is the brand, the number is the tradition, not a singular player who wore it who was an all time great at the school. It's bigger than any one guy. Mike Owens' impact in being part of the backfield that helped bring back the program and was a key contributor in an undefeated season was huge. So what if he wasn't an all time great. Same goes for Richardson and Konrad, key contributors during the best extended run this program has ever had. If they can still hand out 22 in lax, which is every much tied to the best who have ever played the sport as a number Jim Brown wore, they can give a running back 44.

Yeah for guys who have been around Syracuse sports for a long time - he and Axe are way out on their 44 opinions. Unless it's an act for hits and page views; then they are just tools.

 

[BlackKnight76]

Absolutely right. Acutally surprised Bud, who is so tied to "the way things were" generally, is on the other side in this one.

 

[baggerbob]

Bud would have a point.

But it wasn't, so he doesn't.

It was a living tradition worn by multiple players with varying degrees of performance. The number is the brand, the number is the tradition, not a singular player who wore it who was an all time great at the school. It's bigger than any one guy.

Mike Owens' impact in being part of the backfield that helped bring back the program and was a key contributor in an undefeated season was huge. So what if he wasn't an all time great. Same goes for Richardson and Konrad, key contributors during the best extended run this program has ever had.

If they can still hand out 22 in lax, which is every much tied to the best who have ever played the sport as a number Jim Brown wore, they can give a running back 44.

We all remember that 2 point conversion against West Virginia to save an undefeated season. Never should have been retired, sheer stupidity on the part of the AD, especially coming from USC, and their # 32.

 

[MadNY3]

Bud would have a point.

But it wasn't, so he doesn't.

It was a living tradition worn by multiple players with varying degrees of performance. The number is the brand, the number is the tradition, not a singular player who wore it who was an all time great at the school. It's bigger than any one guy.

Mike Owens' impact in being part of the backfield that helped bring back the program and was a key contributor in an undefeated season was huge. So what if he wasn't an all time great. Same goes for Richardson and Konrad, key contributors during the best extended run this program has ever had.

If they can still hand out 22 in lax, which is every much tied to the best who have ever played the sport as a number Jim Brown wore, they can give a running back 44.

And my response to him would be:

Bud,

You essentially repealed your own remark. #44 is bigger than any one player, given the wearing of it by Brown, Little and Davis. Owens had the most important two-point conversion in that number. And a guy named Rob Konrad had an unreal career in that #, and in the pros. And, heck, in life, swimming nine miles to save his life.

If you don't get that #44 is bigger than the reason why Sherm Douglas' or Roosevel Bowie/Bouie's uniform is, then your articles that so many people have been frustrated by for years ring as true today as ever. And if you think about this a bit more than your known investment habits, you'll see why #44 is special to Syracuse and unique in college sports

Bring back #44 to the amazing humans yet to come to pay hommage to Mssrs Davis, Brown, Little, et al.

 

[DownTheField]

Well Bud writes like he's trying to be Grantland Rice and he's from the 30's so his his mind he has another 20 or 30 years before he sees the first great 44. I'm sure in his dreams he's following Bobby Jones around and having a whiz bang time with all the other writers on the train from burg to burg.

 

[jekelish]

Bud's an idiot.



I think I just solved the riddle.

 

[tep624]

The only thing in this discussion that should be retired is Bud. He's like a polite version of herpes.

 

[storange]

Bud would have a point.

But it wasn't, so he doesn't.

It was a living tradition worn by multiple players with varying degrees of performance. The number is the brand, the number is the tradition, not a singular player who wore it who was an all time great at the school. It's bigger than any one guy.

Mike Owens' impact in being part of the backfield that helped bring back the program and was a key contributor in an undefeated season was huge. So what if he wasn't an all time great. Same goes for Richardson and Konrad, key contributors during the best extended run this program has ever had.

If they can still hand out 22 in lax, which is every much tied to the best who have ever played the sport as a number Jim Brown wore, they can give a running back 44.

Bud never has a point, its part of his charm

 

[xc84]

Honestly, I don't care about un-retiring the number...or not. There are pros and cons to both positions. However

Absolutely right. Acutally surprised Bud, who is so tied to "the way things were" generally, is on the other side in this one.

Bud just likes to be a contrarian as it gets more hits.

I think we have seen what retiring the number means. I feel there were good intentions related to it but it fell flat and diminished its importance and buzz. Probably time to un-retire it. Floyd Little thinks so too so who am I to disagree with one of the number's "founders"?

 

[Pyle]

Honestly, I don't care about un-retiring the number...or not. There are pros and cons to both positions. However

Bud just likes to be a contrarian as it gets more hits.

I think we have seen what retiring the number means. I feel there were good intentions related to it but it fell flat and diminished its importance and buzz. Probably time to un-retire it. Floyd Little thinks so too so who am I to disagree with one of the number's "founders"?

I agree with your last point. My opinion really doesn't matter, neither does Bud's, or Axe's, or anyone other than Little and Brown, the original living Legends of 44.

 

[elimunelson]

Bud would have a point.

But it wasn't, so he doesn't.

It was a living tradition worn by multiple players with varying degrees of performance. The number is the brand, the number is the tradition, not a singular player who wore it who was an all time great at the school. It's bigger than any one guy.

Mike Owens' impact in being part of the backfield that helped bring back the program and was a key contributor in an undefeated season was huge. So what if he wasn't an all time great. Same goes for Richardson and Konrad, key contributors during the best extended run this program has ever had.

If they can still hand out 22 in lax, which is every much tied to the best who have ever played the sport as a number Jim Brown wore, they can give a running back 44.

Amen. Arguing about doing something b/c other schools do or don't is the point of doing it. Groupthink is for other universities. Let us have our #44 and the uniqueness of it. Sure, someone may flop but someone may rise above what he was going to be with the responsibility of wearing that number.

 

[Forza Azzurri]

Bud would have a point.

But it wasn't, so he doesn't.

It was a living tradition worn by multiple players with varying degrees of performance. The number is the brand, the number is the tradition, not a singular player who wore it who was an all time great at the school. It's bigger than any one guy.

Mike Owens' impact in being part of the backfield that helped bring back the program and was a key contributor in an undefeated season was huge. So what if he wasn't an all time great. Same goes for Richardson and Konrad, key contributors during the best extended run this program has ever had.

If they can still hand out 22 in lax, which is every much tied to the best who have ever played the sport as a number Jim Brown wore, they can give a running back 44.

Yup.

Bring it back.

But don't give it to an incoming frosh.

Give it to someone who has proven themselves in the program.

I also wouldn't mind seeing us give out 44 stickers to put on the players' helmets - like what Ohio State does with the Buckeye leaves...

 

[elimunelson]

Yup.

Bring it back.

But don't give it to an incoming frosh.

Give it to someone who has proven themselves in the program.

I also wouldn't mind seeing us give out 44 stickers to put on the players' helmets - like what Ohio State does with the Buckeye leaves...

that line of thinking is akin to saying "I love Christmas" but now we're going to make it December 28th. The point of 44 is the story behind it and giving the number to an incoming freshman.

I'm in favor of the Legend of 88 and starting it this year. Give it to a Syracuse senior who lives on South Campus and catches 5 TDs junior year.

 

[HOFCeluck]

I think I'm more offended by Bud's awful style of writing than I am is opinon on 44.

Which isn't a statement of how little I care about 44...more how much I despise his writing.

 

[tep624]

I think I'm more offended by Bud's awful style of writing than I am is opinon on 44.

Which isn't a statement of how little I care about 44...more how much I despise his writing.

I find it irritating that he uses terms that were popular during WWI because he perceives that it makes him look smarter and more cultured.

 

[djorange1989]

I find it irritating that he uses terms that were popular during WWI because he perceives that it makes him look smarter and more cultured.

Exactly. It makes him all the more sad and painful.

 

[KaiserUEO]

Retiring it, was the best thing that ever could've happened to it.

Now it can come back with a better, higher profile...purpose.

It's bigger than how it was being used.

Otherwise, keep it in the rafters.

 

[OrangePA]

Yup.

Bring it back.

But don't give it to an incoming frosh.

Give it to someone who has proven themselves in the program.

I also wouldn't mind seeing us give out 44 stickers to put on the players' helmets - like what Ohio State does with the Buckeye leaves...

Disagree.

Contrary to the tradition.

 

[Pyle]

Yup.

Bring it back.

But don't give it to an incoming frosh.

Give it to someone who has proven themselves in the program.

I also wouldn't mind seeing us give out 44 stickers to put on the players' helmets - like what Ohio State does with the Buckeye leaves...[/QUOTE

Disagree.

Contrary to the tradition.

I'm not sure I agree with you there, the legend wasn't built on incoming freshman. Fact is Davis and Little didn't get the number until they were sophomores based on the fact frosh couldn't play. So why then does it have to be promised to a recruit? Why can't a kid earn it like they did?

 

[Chip]

I'm not sure I agree with you there, the legend wasn't built on incoming freshman. Fact is Davis and Little didn't get the number until they were sophomores based on the fact frosh couldn't play. So why then does it have to be promised to a recruit? Why can't a kid earn it like they did?

It was still a recruiting tool though wasn't it? I thought the story was that Jim Brown recruited Davis, who recruited Little, and wearing #44 was part of it.

Regardless of how we do it, I think it would be cool to see that # on the field again. Maybe that's just because I'm thinking the last time it was worn was a year that Syracuse football was a lot of fun to watch, but still...

 

[Pyle]

It was still a recruiting tool though wasn't it? I thought the story was that Jim Brown recruited Davis, who recruited Little, and wearing #44 was part of it.

Regardless of how we do it, I think it would be cool to see that # on the field again. Maybe that's just because I'm thinking the last time it was worn was a year that Syracuse football was a lot of fun to watch, but still...

Sure it was, come here and be who we think you'll be and you can wear this...
Not come here and you can have this regardless of how you perform.

 

[tep624]

I'm not sure I agree with you there, the legend wasn't built on incoming freshman. Fact is Davis and Little didn't get the number until they were sophomores based on the fact frosh couldn't play. So why then does it have to be promised to a recruit? Why can't a kid earn it like they did?

The term "earning it" is being thrown around based on on-field performance, because the "earn it" crowd don't want another Mandel Robinson or Glenn Moore.

How can you say that Brown, Davis or Little "earned" the right to wear it when they all wore it the very first time they stepped on the field as Sophomores and had not played as freshman? That is no different than a freshman now stepping foot on the field for the first time and wearing the number.

 

[Pyle]

They earned it by their performance on the field at Syracuse as frosh that couldn't play until they were sophmores? How is that "earning" it?

They proved it in practice their freshman years by dominating. It's not like they walked through the door with the number in hand is what i'm saying.