Hall of Famer and Orange Legend Dwight Freeney Added to Football Staff
4/11/2025 1:37:00 PM | Football
Legendary Syracuse football player Dwight Freeney, who went on to become a College and Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee, has been added to the Syracuse football staff in Player Development.
One of the greatest players in football history, Freeney spent 16 seasons in the NFL, 11 of which with the Indianapolis Colts. He has the 19th-most sacks in NFL history, won a Super Bowl, was enshrined in Canton in 2024 and had his jersey retired at Syracuse the same year.
"The time is now," Freeney said. "I think that Syracuse has a lot of good things going. A great foundation and I think they need a push to be able to maintain and exceed that – that is what I hope I'm able to do. My schedule is now a lot freer than it has been in years past, so I'll be able to help however is needed and in whatever way I can."
Freeney was the 11th overall selection of the 2002 NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts, starting a legendary professional career that made him known as one of the greatest pass rushers in the sport's history. In addition to being a Super Bowl Champion, he was named to the All-Pro team four times, including three first-team selections and was selected to seven Pro Bowls.Â
"Dwight beat all the odds. A lot of our players relate to him, he understands what they're going through and where they want to get. There was no better guy to be able to come back and help us in player development and to develop these guys – not just as football players, but as men," Brown said. "He's from Connecticut, right in the footprint of Syracuse. He was a hall of famer here and then he went to the NFL, played at a high level and became a hall of famer there."
"He's a successful husband and a successful father as well and lives DART all the time. He's a detailed, accountable, relentless and tough man. I'm so thankful to have him as a part of our staff. It's who we need to continue to advance our program into the next steps of being able to win a national championship."
At Syracuse, Freeney was just as dominant as he was in the pros. The Bloomfield, Connecticut native racked up 34 sacks from 1998-2001, including setting the program's single-season (17.5) and single-game (4.5) records. A consensus All-American and co-BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year as a senior, Freeney was a finalist for the Lombardi, Nagurski and Bednarik Awards.
As a rookie, he recorded 13 sacks, starting a run of 11-or-more sacks in each of his first-four seasons in the league. He led the NFL in sacks in 2004 with 16, and appeared in three Super Bowls, two with the Colts and one with the Falcons, while helping the Colts win Super Bowl XLI in 2006. He was also named AFC Defensive Player of the Year in 2005 after forcing six fumbles and 11 sacks.
Freeney joins the Orange at an exciting time. Under Fran Brown's leadership, Syracuse is coming off a 10-win campaign and one of the most memorable seasons in recent memory. Fans can become part of the action today by purchasing their season tickets at Cuse.com/Tickets.
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One of the greatest players in football history, Freeney spent 16 seasons in the NFL, 11 of which with the Indianapolis Colts. He has the 19th-most sacks in NFL history, won a Super Bowl, was enshrined in Canton in 2024 and had his jersey retired at Syracuse the same year.
"The time is now," Freeney said. "I think that Syracuse has a lot of good things going. A great foundation and I think they need a push to be able to maintain and exceed that – that is what I hope I'm able to do. My schedule is now a lot freer than it has been in years past, so I'll be able to help however is needed and in whatever way I can."
Freeney was the 11th overall selection of the 2002 NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts, starting a legendary professional career that made him known as one of the greatest pass rushers in the sport's history. In addition to being a Super Bowl Champion, he was named to the All-Pro team four times, including three first-team selections and was selected to seven Pro Bowls.Â
"Dwight beat all the odds. A lot of our players relate to him, he understands what they're going through and where they want to get. There was no better guy to be able to come back and help us in player development and to develop these guys – not just as football players, but as men," Brown said. "He's from Connecticut, right in the footprint of Syracuse. He was a hall of famer here and then he went to the NFL, played at a high level and became a hall of famer there."
"He's a successful husband and a successful father as well and lives DART all the time. He's a detailed, accountable, relentless and tough man. I'm so thankful to have him as a part of our staff. It's who we need to continue to advance our program into the next steps of being able to win a national championship."
At Syracuse, Freeney was just as dominant as he was in the pros. The Bloomfield, Connecticut native racked up 34 sacks from 1998-2001, including setting the program's single-season (17.5) and single-game (4.5) records. A consensus All-American and co-BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year as a senior, Freeney was a finalist for the Lombardi, Nagurski and Bednarik Awards.
As a rookie, he recorded 13 sacks, starting a run of 11-or-more sacks in each of his first-four seasons in the league. He led the NFL in sacks in 2004 with 16, and appeared in three Super Bowls, two with the Colts and one with the Falcons, while helping the Colts win Super Bowl XLI in 2006. He was also named AFC Defensive Player of the Year in 2005 after forcing six fumbles and 11 sacks.
Freeney joins the Orange at an exciting time. Under Fran Brown's leadership, Syracuse is coming off a 10-win campaign and one of the most memorable seasons in recent memory. Fans can become part of the action today by purchasing their season tickets at Cuse.com/Tickets.
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