Since Syracuse University’s announcement on Tuesday that the school would restore its legendary number 44, there has been controversy about whether or not it was the right decision, and what “restoration” means for the number. See a full time-line of events here.

Mike Tirico, a 1988 Syracuse graduate and ESPN/ABC announcer of college basketball and the NBA, shared his own thoughts with The Daily Orange on how SU should use the number 44.

The un-retirement of number 44:

I have no problem with (SU Athletic Director) Pete Sala doing this because, to me, the two people who matter in this story – Jim Brown and Floyd Little – blessed it. Who am I to say that they shouldn’t do it?

When (SU) retired it, I thought it was a nice honor, but when you think about it, the number doesn’t do us any good hanging up at the Dome.

It can have the same purpose of honoring those guys on the field. Honor the individual and hang their jerseys…with their name and with the number 44 should hang in the (Carrier) Dome, Brown, Little, (Larry) Csonka, (Ernie) Davis. If it were me, I’d hang one more 44 for (basketball player) Derrick Coleman, too.

What Syracuse can learn from Ole Miss:

The way Ole Miss uses number 38 to honor Chucky Mullins…is a great way to go about it.

(Editor’s note: Mullins was paralyzed in 1989 after a collision during a game and died nearly two years later. The team awards number 38 to the player who ‘best represents Ole Miss football’ each year.)

I haven’t covered Ole Miss since 1997 – 18 years – but whenever I see Ole Miss play, I look for 38 because I know that kid has proven that he’s special.

That’s what a legacy truly is about. It’s yesterday inspiring today. Your future players can strive toward tomorrow.

That’s how we maximize 44 on campus.

How Syracuse can use number 44:

The best use of the number is to be awarded…to a different player every year who exemplifies what that number 44 stood for…Regardless of position. Not the best player, but the player who best represents Syracuse football.

You’d have to ask Floyd or Jim this question, but I think it does them more honor to have their ideals represented every year.

If I’m watching the game and see the number 44 out there, I can tell my kids, folks who weren’t around to see those three guys play, all about what those guys were and what they meant. Every time you watch Syracuse play, you’ll see 44 on the field and that represents the best of the legacy and the guys who wore it before.

We all want what’s best for the program and this is a compromise of saluting everyone involved.

Why freshman shouldn’t be allowed to wear number 44:

Bestowing the number on an incoming freshman puts a lot of pressure on someone.

(Editor’s note: Class of 2016 commit, running back Robert Washington, has been linked to the “Restore 44” movement. His father said Tuesday they were both “shocked” by the restoration announcement.)

But if that guy comes in and proves what he is – in your house, for a year, and that he represents what that number represents – then he’s earned it.

What if you recruit two great players? One gets it and the other doesn’t? Doesn’t it become a pawn in recruiting that way?

If you’re a big time recruit, the number’s available. Just come here and prove you deserve it.

How Syracuse can make even better use of the number:

I would think about taking 44 and advancing that legacy to every sports team we have. Wouldn’t it be awesome if every Syracuse team had a 44?

Someone who wasn’t a freshman, but had been on campus and – through their play, the person they are and how they’ve acted – may become worthy of wearing the number of honor on our campus. Each coach runs their own program and chooses someone each year.

That’d be a unique honor no other school has.

Donovan McNabb’s tweets: 

Everybody is entitled to their opinion.

I’m sitting in Ann Arbor right now at home and McNabb had as good of a day as any Syracuse player has ever had in Michigan Stadium. He has a right to be a voice at this table.

Published on May 21, 2015 at 10:57 pm

Contact Sam: sjfortie@syr.edu | @Sam4TR