Solution to the #44 debate

[dollarbill44]

First off, let me state that I am of the opinion that it should be unretired and on occasion given to a player (upperclassman) who embodies the spirit of 44.

There are plenty of others who suggest it should never be unretired.

What do you think about the following compromise?

Keep it retired, but elect one of the captains each year, if he embodies all that is #44, to wear a small #44 on his shoulder in place of the "C" that the captains wear. That way, the tradition of giving the number to a special, deserving player will carry on but the "sacredness" of the 44 jersey that many subscribe to will not get sullied by the "unworthy", mortal SU players. It will also allow for a non-RB to carry on the 44 tradition, something that is not currently possible under the numbering rules.

 

[jcuse44]

Not a bad idea...i will say however, sometimes i feel like people will think that 44 is the only number of significance within our program which it is not. In the same token though it is without a doubt the most significant.

 

[SU2NASA]

It's the greatest recruiting tool we have. Ernie Davis and Floyd Little didn't have to wait to wear the number. Carry on the tradition the same way it started.

Same with '5', which I think Broyld should be wearing.

I'd like to see Marrone sitting down with a 5-star running back offering 44 if he comes to SU. The first time that kid took the field the place would go nuts.

 

[jekelish]

It's the greatest recruiting tool we have. Ernie Davis and Floyd Little didn't have to wait to wear the number. Carry on the tradition the same way it started.

Same with '5', which I think Broyld should be wearing.

I'd like to see Marrone sitting down with a 5-star running back offering 44 if he comes to SU. The first time that kid took the field the place would go nuts.

Of course it would add a ton of pressure from the fan base for the kid to live up to the number, which is why I'm ok with giving it to a proven upperclassman (wasn't there talk of giving it to Reyes before his senior year, for instance?).

 

[OrangeXtreme]

It's the greatest recruiting tool we have. Ernie Davis and Floyd Little didn't have to wait to wear the number. Carry on the tradition the same way it started.

Same with '5', which I think Broyld should be wearing.

I'd like to see Marrone sitting down with a 5-star running back offering 44 if he comes to SU. The first time that kid took the field the place would go nuts.

Maloney offered 44 to 5-star running backs. So did Mac. So did Coach P. None of them ever committed here.

5 star RB's aren't impressed with jerseys.

Cash only.

 

[SU2NASA]

Maloney offered 44 to 5-star running backs. So did Mac. So did Coach P. None of them ever committed here.

5 star RB's aren't impressed with jerseys.

Cash only.

Well you know my signature line...

 

[RMH44]

Maloney offered 44 to 5-star running backs. So did Mac. So did Coach P. None of them ever committed here.

5 star RB's aren't impressed with jerseys.

Cash only.

Funny.

Wasn't Terry Richardson very highly sought after? I'm not sure if they had the star system back then.

 

[dollarbill44]

Funny.

Wasn't Terry Richardson very highly sought after? I'm not sure if they had the star system back then.

Michael Owens, too.

 

[IthacaBarrel]

Somebody should be wearing it.. either a highly touted running back or a senior captain that has earned it. I jus don't agree with it being retired. Hey, if nobody is worthy of it than so be it.

 

[sutomcat]

Michael Owens, too.

So were Mandel Robinson and Rob Konrad. And all of that was before The Express was released and a whole new generation of athletes were introduced to the Syracuse 44 tradition. No question it is not a magic wand to get great RBs to come to SU but is it something that is unique to Syracuse; a special tradition that should be kept.

 

[tep624]

It's a recruiting tool, plain and simple. Has the shine worn off a bit since there hasn't been an All American #44 in quite some time? Yes, I think that's accurate.

To argue that it is not a recruiting tool at all is about as ignorant as arguing the Express isn't a recruiting tool because you feel it's a bad movie, or that high schoolers now have no idea who Jim Brown or Ernie Davis are. But usually the people doing that the same ones that have a viral case of CNY negativitis.

The only guy who ever won a Heisman here, and who also was a #1 NFL draft pick, wore the number. I don't care if that happened in 1492 or 1942 - every school with historical tradition uses that to recruit. Yes I realize those that don't have to rely on gimmics like putting hideously ugly video game uniforms out because "that's what kids like". Whatever. If you have a historical tradition that actually means something, like a heisman, national championship, #1 NFL draft pick, that those types of things mean and you aren't using them to market your program, then you're clueless.

 

[Moontan]

As I've been saying for years... retire the jersey but not the number. I'd be fine with seeing three 44 jerseys retired while having it worn be a deserving RB.

 

[Scooch]

Our one football tradition was having a famous number kept active by new players wearing it.

Of course we blew that up.

It's like we don't understand anything about college football, on or off the field.

Ugh.

 

[jekelish]

I hate the fact that we don't even use 44 in basketball anymore either. How can we change the area code and zip code to include 44 and then retire the freaking number so that no one knows the significance? It was also horrible timing with The Express, since as others have mentioned, kids from outside of CNY are now aware of the significance. That will wear off soon, as the movie becomes more of an afterthought, and we aren't remotely taking advantage.

Put it on Slashton or offer it to a big time RB recruit, and then throw on Jermaine Lawrence for basketball and let's keep 44 active on both teams as often as possible.

 

[OrangeXtreme]

I hate the fact that we don't even use 44 in basketball anymore either. How can we change the area code and zip code to include 44 and then retire the freaking number so that no one knows the significance? It was also horrible timing with The Express, since as others have mentioned, kids from outside of CNY are now aware of the significance. That will wear off soon, as the movie becomes more of an afterthought, and we aren't remotely taking advantage.

Put it on Slashton or offer it to a big time RB recruit, and then throw on Jermaine Lawrence for basketball and let's keep 44 active on both teams as often as possible.

Basketball numbers aren't really retired.

Wes Johnson wore #4.
Triche wears #20.
Someone could wear #44 if they wanted to, but kids usually want their HS number.

BTW- Coleman wore #32 at JD.

 

[jekelish]

I know, I wasn't saying 44 is retired, but no one has worn it since John Wallace. I don't understand why, unless it is just a case where kids don't want it.

Edit: or was Winfred Walton set to wear it? Did he curse it?

 

[OrangeXtreme]

I know, I wasn't saying 44 is retired, but no one has worn it since John Wallace. I don't understand why, unless it is just a case where kids don't want it.

Edit: or was Winfred Walton set to wear it? Did he curse it?

Photographic proof that Winfred Walton did exist:

 

[GoCuse14]

Can we sign a petition?

 

[DNABB5]

As I've been saying for years... retire the jersey but not the number. I'd be fine with seeing three 44 jerseys retired while having it worn be a deserving RB.

^^^^^^^^ Best answer ^^^^^^^^^

Also, the 44 yard lines need Orange Hashes, rules be damned. If Boise can make google eyes with that smurf turf, 4 sq. ft. of orange should be fine.