Plaza 44 Celebrates the Legend of 44

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The Legend of 44 is about the people who have donned the number, not about the digits. The story behind honoring the legacy is also about the people. Jennifer G '02 and Jeff Rubin '95, G '98 are passionate about teaching their children and the next generation of Orange fans about who wore #44 on their jersey and the impact they have had on so many lives.

"We want to give back to Syracuse University – to say thank you," Rubin said of his family's gift of Plaza 44. "We want to teach our children, Nathan and Benjamin, about the importance of philanthropy for those in need and for those who have helped you. We want to honor the most iconic number in all of sports – not just college sports. This will be a lasting legacy and a place to tell the story of and honor amazing men."

Plaza 44 will tell the story for generations to come. A gathering area outside of the new Ensley Athletic Center, Plaza 44 will feature bronze statues of the three who define the Legend of 44 – Jim Brown, Ernie Davis and Floyd Little.

Twenty-five football student-athletes at Syracuse University have worn the #44. A group of three who carried the ball as Syracuse running backs from 1954 through 1966 exemplify the number. While there were Orange football student-athletes who wore #44 before him, Brown started the number's ascent into sports lore. A 1956 All-American, Brown set Syracuse several Syracuse records and led the Orange to a Cotton Bowl berth. He 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.

Davis, who became the first African-American to win the Heisman Trophy in 1961, donned the #44 jersey from 1959 to 1961 and was a starter on Syracuse'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.

A Bordentown Academy standout, Little had to choose between following in Davis' footsteps at Syracuse and playing football for the U.S. Military Academy. He elected to honor the promise he made to Davis prior to Davis' passing to follow in his footsteps at Syracuse. Little became a three-time All-American, playing for Syracuse 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 199.0 yards per game. Little went on to have a tremendous professional career with the Denver Broncos, winning back-to-back rushing titles in 1970-71. He, too, was inducted into the College and Professional Football Halls of Fame.

The concept of Plaza 44 began at a national convention about college athletics. Rubin, president and CEO of SIDEARM Sports, wandered across the way to visit with Brian Hanlon, Master Sculptor at Hanlon Sports Sculptures, because he was intrigued by the life-size statue of Shaquille O'Neal at the Hanlon display. One question led to another before Rubin realized that Hanlon's knowledge of and passion for the legend of 44 matched his. The two exchanged contact information intent on a common goal – bringing to life the Legend of 44 on Syracuse's campus.

"Plaza 44 will be a place of happiness and pride for every Orange fan," Rubin said. "It is an inspiring story and an integral part of Syracuse Football history."

Syracuse Football #44s
Player	Position	Year Wore #44
Gifford Zimmerman	HB	1921
Charles Roberts	HB	1924
Clarence Taylor	QB	1925
Don Baldwin	WR	1926
Richard Fishel	HB	1932
Henry Merz	QB	1933
Hamilton Watt	WR	1934
Francis Mullins	HB	1935-36
Stanley Stanislay	WR	1937
Benjamin DeYoung	WR	1938
Francis Mazejko	G	1939
Richard Ransom	T	1940
J.O'Brien	T	1945
Robert Eberling	RB	1952
Jim Brown	RB	1954-56
Thomas Stephens	HB	1957-58
Ernie Davis	RB	1959-61
William Schoonover	HB	1962-63
Floyd Little	RB	1964-66
Richard Panczyszyn	QB	1967-69
Mandel Robinson	RB	1977
Glenn Moore	RB	1981-82
Michael Owens	RB	1987-89
Terry Richardson	RB	1990-93
Rob Konrad	FB	1995-98

Syracuse University Athletics

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