Donovan McNabb Riled Up After Syracuse Unretires No. 44
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) — Syracuse is bringing back the football team's famed No. 44 -- and one famous alumnus isn't happy.
The school made the announcement on Tuesday at a groundbreaking ceremony for Plaza 44, which will be constructed adjacent to the new Ensley Athletic Center. The plaza will honor the great trio of running backs who wore the number and helped make it one of the most recognizable numbers in college football — Jim Brown, Ernie Davis and Floyd Little.
Former Syracuse quarterback Donovan McNabb, a six-time NFL Pro Bowler, called the decision "totally disrespectful" to everyone who has put on the jersey.
It bothers me to see the decision being made by my alma mater to u retire the legendary 44. The great RBs who wore the number put SU on the
— Donovan McNabb (@donovanjmcnabb) May 20, 2015
Map. What message are we sending across college football and to the football world that it's ok to un retire such history that was so strong
— Donovan McNabb (@donovanjmcnabb) May 20, 2015
That a movie was made about one of our great RBs in Ernie Davis. No one should be rewarded in wearing that number. Do u see other schools
— Donovan McNabb (@donovanjmcnabb) May 20, 2015
Taking numbers down from the raffters for any reason at all. I think it is totally disrespectful to those who have worn it and for those who
— Donovan McNabb (@donovanjmcnabb) May 20, 2015
Who wore the mighty Blue and Orange. It was retired in 05 for a reason. Which it should have been done along time before then.
— Donovan McNabb (@donovanjmcnabb) May 20, 2015
Statues of Brown, Davis and Little, all of them members of the College Football Hall of Fame, will be placed in the plaza, which is expected to be completed by the start of next season.
Since 1954, 11 players have worn 44 at Syracuse, none since the number was retired in 2005 and placed on permanent display inside the Carrier Dome.
Syracuse developed a tradition in which the number was passed down to a promising player. None matched the accomplishments of the honored trio.
Brown played for the Orange from 1954-56 and led the team to a berth in the Cotton Bowl before becoming an NFL star with the Cleveland Browns. Davis led Syracuse to its lone national championship in 1959 and two years later became the first African-American to win the Heisman Trophy. Little is the school's only three-time All-American, from 1964-66.
"This is very special. I truly appreciate it," said Little, now a special assistant in the athletic department at his alma mater. "Wearing the No. 44 was magical. You always challenged yourself to live up to the standards, the greatness."
A small committee will be formed to decide who gets to wear the number, and that group will include Little.
The last member of the Orange to wear 44 was fullback Rob Konrad in 1998. In all, 25 players have worn the number at Syracuse.
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