I Pose To You, Good Sirs And Madams, A Question...

by Sean Keeley on Jan 14, 2009 12:12 PM EST Comment 6 comments

All of this Restore 44 chitter-chatter got me thinking last night. You know where I stand and you know where DOC Gross stands and we know where Axe stands and we know others think it's just a number, dudes. But here's a hypothetical for you...

What if there was a stud, and I mean stud running back recruit. Like #1, can't-miss, blue chip, five-star running back. A program-maker. And he was getting offers from USC and Florida and Oklahoma and Texas and West Virginia. But instead of throwing himself at them, he said...

"I grew up rooting for Syracuse and I have dreamed of playing for the Orange. If Syracuse will let me wear #44, I will sign on the line that is dotted tomorrow and I will gladly walk away from the beaches of Southern California and the co-eds of Gainesville to follow in the footsteps of Jim Brown, Ernie Davis and Floyd Little. If I can't wear #44 though, it's just not special and I'll play elsewhere."

How quickly would #44 come down from the rafters? Exactly.

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Mr Brown and Mr Little

are the ones who can unretire the number. If there is a recruit who wants to wear it and the coaches want to get him they can call up brown and little and ask their permission to offer the number to the recruit. Keep it on the DL then on signing day do a big PR thing with Jim and Floyd there. Makes sports center.

Jerry Rice let a free agent wear his number. It happens all over the place.

By the way… Its not DOCTOR Gross’ number its Jim Brown’s and Floyd Little’s.

by ryanwk628 on Jan 14, 2009 12:46 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Have Mr. Brown and Mr. Little Weighed In?

Has anyone seen any opinions from JB or FL on their thoughts of 44 being retired?

Personally I agree with Sean. I always thought it was neat way to honor the past great RBs, even carrying through to other sports (a la John Wallace). I also agree that if no one is worthy, no one should wear it. By the way, can we bring back Orangemen too please?

by sportzbelle on Jan 14, 2009 1:05 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I think there is a disconnect here on the 44 subject.

Alums vs. Syracuse fans and older vs. younger fans.

It is not true that, as I have read, that “only a handful of people oppose the reinstitution of #44 as an active number”.

If you been watching ‘Cuse football for 20-30-40 years since Floyd graduated you probably were disgusted by the way 44 was offered around to can’t-miss H.S. hotshots that went directly to the bench and never got off it.The legend of 44 was being sullied. Players were rejecting it, Joe Morris! Walter Reyes!

I think age and alumni status factor into this discussion. I love the non-alum fans and their passion and their way of treating SU athletics as their “home” team they are essential to SU’s success so please don’t get me wrong, but a younger Syracuse native will always view SU Football from an entertainment perspective as opposed to a family perspective.
Talking with Floyd Little on Marshall Street as a classmate will always make me want to protect this number.The legend of 44 is tarnished on the back of a kid who has a mediocre college career but suffers under the weight of 44—he is branded a bust —its been happening for 20+ years. Gross is smart enough to recognize this.

by DallasCuse68 on Jan 14, 2009 1:06 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

The number dosen't belong to JB or FL It belongs to the larger University community.

Floyd Little would of course say reactivate it, whether he truly wanted to or not. He is a modest non-ego driven winner.
JB less so but still a great contributor to the history of football as a whole.

Pressuring these men into giving up a piece of their legacy will only be a testament to their outward public modesty not a reflection of their true feelings.

by DallasCuse68 on Jan 14, 2009 1:11 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

If there is a cant miss prospect

that JB and FL both feel having him here would help the program and are willing allow him to wear the number they made matter to get him here then it should be up to them to give their consent.

As long as they are alive, its their number, it was retired to honor them… they earned it. You can argue that.

Lots of great athletes want to follow in the footsteps of the greats. The Powells wanted to wear Gaits number 22. Davis wanted to follow in Browns footsteps. Lebron, and on our own team Devendorf wear 23 to honor the greatest player to ever play basketball. It is a great recruiting tool that should remain retired UNLESS there is someone who deserves it in the eyes of those who made it matter.

by ryanwk628 on Jan 14, 2009 1:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs