What we know: A timeline of the status of No. 44
Head coach Scott Shafer, and other members of SU Athletics, declared the No. 44 "back." But now there's some confusion as to the number's status, so here's a brief timeline to provide some clarity. Margaret Lin | Staff Photographer
Amidst recent confusion as to the status of the No. 44 with the Syracuse football program, here is a timeline from the past 10 years of the number’s standing and how the SU Athletic Department has caused confusion in the past several days.
Nov. 12, 2005 — Syracuse retires the No. 44
Aug. 21, 2013 — The Post-Standard publishes a story saying that the number can be brought back at the discretion of the athletic director, Jim Brown and Floyd Little.
May 19, 2015 — Syracuse interim director of athletics Pete Sala says the number is back with the blessing of Brown and Little.
May 19, 2015 (evening) — Former Syracuse quarterback and member of the Syracuse University Board of Trustees Donovan McNabb tweets his displeasure with the school unretiring the jersey.
May 20, 2015 — ESPN personality Keith Olbermann and Pardon The Interruption hosts Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon both agree that the number should not have been restored.
May 20, 2015 — Senior vice president for public affairs Kevin Quinn tells Syracuse.com that announcement doesn’t change status of jersey with school, referring back to statement from 2013 article.
May 21, 2015 — Upon request for clarification of inconsistencies between the statement sent to Syracuse.com and Tuesday’s announcement, Quinn sends The Daily Orange the same statement that was sent to Syracuse.com.
