No. 44 became legendary

Star-Gazette file photo Ernie Davis helped make No. 44 a jersey that is synonymous with football excellence at Syracuse.

Mention Syracuse University football, and most fans automatically think of the number 44. It's one of the most recognizable numbers in college football.

Ernie Davis wore the number on his jersey. So did Jim Brown and Floyd Little. Each ranks among the finest running backs ever to play the game. Each was an All-American.

Since 1954, Syracuse has fielded 11 players with No. 44 on their backs. But Davis, Brown and Little carried it into the history books.

Brown was first of the three. He played at SU from 1954 to '56 and led the Orangemen to the Cotton Bowl before going on to become a member of the pro and college football halls of fame.

Brown led the NFL in rushing eight times in his nine seasons with the Cleveland Browns. Many followers of the game consider him the greatest running back of all time.

Davis played for the Orange from 1959 to '61. A two-time first-team All-American, he won the 1961 Heisman Trophy and was a starter on Syracuse's 1959 national championship team.

Davis signed to play with the Cleveland Browns, giving promise of a backfield tandem with Brown. But Davis died of leukemia in 1963 and never played a down as a pro. He was later inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

Little was a three-time All-American at Syracuse, from 1964 to '66. He 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 also was the greatest kick returner in Orange history.

In addition to breaking the records of Brown and Davis, Little led the nation in all-purpose yardage in 1965, averaging 199 yards per game. He went on to have a outstanding career with the Denver Broncos, winning back-to-back rushing titles in 1970 and '71. He, too, was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.