The American Legend of 44

Last night, pops and I went to the Dome to watch the Syracuse Men's Basketball Team play Richmond. As usual, 44 was everywhere. But on this night, for me, it seemed more visible than ever.

On the way to our seats, we stopped in front of the "Orange Shop" to look at a framed display about the "Legend of 44".

It had photos of Jimmy Brown, Ernie Davis, and Floyd Little above summaries of their respective contributions to the legend. Next to that was a large photograph of the encounter between Ernie and JFK in Manhattan, which happened just hours after Ernie became the first African-American to win the Heisman Trophy.

Several banners commemorating the accomplishments of SU's championship teams, and great athletes adorn the upper levels of the Dome. But there is little dispute that the enormous white #44 football jersey that hangs from the rafters is the dominant image.

Recently, I've spent some time thinking about the number "44."

Chip described the positive impact SU's Legend of 44 has had on the lives and Syracuse fans and others in the past and how it has the potential to inspire a new generation of Americans. And pops described how Barack Obama's election as the 44th President of the United States seems to be ushering in a new spirit of reconciliation and ushering out the current climate characterized by rivals on the opposite ends of ideological spectra "hating" on each other.

I seems to me that - even aside from what we know about SU's Legend of 44 - the number 44 is uniquely American. It is uniquely associated with hope and reconciliation.

This is the American Legend of 44.

It started, of course, in 1944 - the year of the American-led Allied invasion of Nazi-occupied France. It was a pivotal moment in bringing an end to the most tragic period of unmitigated hate in history of the World. If the 20th Century was "The American Century" then 1944 was "The American Year".

What significance did the number 44 have before 1944?

In my view, none.

For example, what about Psalm 44? Let's just say . . . not particularly hopeful or uplifting.

What about other years containing the number 44? The one significant historical thing I did find was that in the year 44 B.C.E. Brutus and his co-conspirators murdered Julius Caesar. This is the likely the finest example how people "hated on each other" during the Roman Empire.

It seems that the number 44 had little, if any, historical significance before 1944.

But all that changed in on D-Day.

After World War II, the next great American crisis centered around the Civil Rights Movement of the 50's and 60's. And it was during these tumultuous times that SU's Legend of 44 was born.

Maybe it's coincidence.

Maybe it's coincidence that in October 1977, on the heals of a brutal summer in New York City, with its unrelenting heatwave, devastating power outage, and terrifying serial killings, an African-American slugger wearing a #44 Yankees pin strip jersey clubbed 3 home runs on three successive pitches in Game Six of the World Series to lead the Yankees the World Championship.

And maybe it's a coincidence that the first African-American President of the United States just happens to be the 44th President of the United States.

But . . . then again . . . maybe it's no coincidence at all. Maybe, just maybe, Barack Obama's election as our country's 44th President is the next chapter in the ever-growing American Legend of 44.