ESPN.com Features Syracuse's Rich Tradition of #44
6/29/2006 1:08:46 PM | Football
SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Like tailbacks at USC, quarterbacks at Brigham Young and linebackers at Penn State, the running back position at Syracuse has a rich tradition of greatness. Much of that greatness has revolved around one jersey number — 44. Number 44 at Syracuse University is one of the most storied numbers ever associated with a college football program as documented in ESPN.com's Ivan Maisel’s breakdown of the best players to wear every number in college football. Maisel is breaking down every number, 1-100, in college football and Syracuse’s number 44 claims the most storied series of players to wear the number. Donovan McNabb’s number five was recognized as an honorable mention on Maisel’s list as was Dwight Freeney for doing the number 54 proud.
On November 12, 2005, the number 44 was retired. It is permanently displayed in the Carrier Dome, honoring the legends who have worn it for the Orange.
Since 1954, 11 players have worn the number and three earned All-America honors. Those three — Jim Brown, Ernie Davis and Floyd Little — certainly rank among the finest running backs to ever play the game.
Brown, who played at SU from 1954-56 and led the team to a Cotton Bowl berth, went on to become the NFL’s all-time leading rusher and a member of the Pro and College Football Halls of Fame. He led the league in rushing eight times in his nine years. Many still point to him as the greatest running back of all time. Among Brown’s accomplishments at Syracuse was setting an NCAA single-game record of 43 points against Colgate in a 61-6 SU win.
Davis played for the Orange from 1959-61. He won the 1961 Heisman Trophy, becoming the first African-American to do so, and was a starter on SU’s 1959 national championship team. Davis also signed to play with the Cleveland Browns, but the devastating combination of Davis and Brown in the same backfield never came to pass. Davis died of leukemia in 1963. He was later inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
Little was a three-time All-America selection for the Orange. Little played for SU from 1964-66 and led the team to the Sugar Bowl in 1964 and the Gator Bowl in 1966 (teaming in the backfield with Larry Csonka in the latter). Little was the greatest kick returner in Orange history.
In addition to breaking the records of Brown and Davis, he led the nation in all-purpose yardage in 1965, averaging 199 yards per game. Little went on to have a tremendous career with the Denver Broncos, winning back-to-back rushing titles in 1970-71. He, too, was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
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