The Legacy of Number 44 in Alabama Football
In the world of college football, certain numbers have become synonymous with certain teams and positions. In Alabama, the number 44 is one such number that carries great significance. Over the years, many players who have donned the number 44 have become legends of the game, both at the collegiate and professional levels. This article will highlight some of the most famous Alabama players who have worn the number 44, and examine their lasting impact on the game and the program.
Bart Starr: The First 44 on the Field
Bart Starr was the first Alabama player to wear the number 44 on the field, and he did so with great success. Starr played quarterback for the Crimson Tide from 1952 to 1955, leading the team to a national championship in 1953. He was known for his accuracy and decision-making on the field, and after his time at Alabama, he went on to have a storied career with the Green Bay Packers, winning five NFL championships and two Super Bowls.
Johnny Musso: The All-American Running Back
Johnny Musso was a running back for Alabama in the early 1970s, and he remains one of the most beloved players in program history. Musso wore the number 44 throughout his career, and he was a two-time All-American who helped lead the Tide to three straight SEC championships. He finished his career with 2,741 rushing yards and 30 touchdowns, and he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2000.
Thomas Rayam: The Record-Breaking Linebacker
Thomas Rayam was a dominant linebacker for Alabama in the late 1970s, and he holds the distinction of being the program’s all-time leading tackler. Rayam wore the number 44 throughout his career, and he was a two-time All-American who led the team in tackles for three straight seasons. He finished his career with 528 tackles, and he was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 2013.
E.J. Junior: The Two-Time All-American Pass Rusher
E.J. Junior was a pass-rushing specialist for Alabama in the early 1980s, and he remains one of the most fearsome defenders in program history. Junior wore the number 44 throughout his career, and he was a two-time All-American who led the team in sacks for three straight seasons. He finished his career with 21 sacks, and he went on to have a successful career in the NFL with the St. Louis Cardinals and Miami Dolphins.
Derrick Thomas: The Hall of Famer and NFL Legend
Derrick Thomas is widely regarded as one of the greatest pass rushers in NFL history, and he got his start at Alabama wearing the number 44. Thomas played for the Tide in the mid-1980s, and he was a two-time All-American who set a school record with 27 sacks in a single season. He finished his career with 52 sacks, and he went on to have a Hall of Fame career with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Antowain Smith: The National Champion Running Back
Antowain Smith was a running back for Alabama in the mid-1990s, and he played a key role in the team’s national championship run in 1992. Smith wore the number 44 throughout his career, and he was a bruising back who finished his career with 2,519 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns. He went on to have a successful career in the NFL with the Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots, and New Orleans Saints.
Shaun Alexander: The All-Time Leading Rusher
Shaun Alexander is one of the greatest running backs in Alabama history, and he holds the program record for career rushing yards with 3,565. Alexander wore the number 44 throughout his career, and he was a two-time All-American who won the SEC Player of the Year award in 1999. He went on to have a successful career in the NFL with the Seattle Seahawks, and he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2018.
DeMeco Ryans: The Butkus Award Winner
DeMeco Ryans was a linebacker for Alabama in the mid-2000s, and he was one of the most dominant defenders in program history. Ryans wore the number 44 throughout his career, and he won the Butkus Award as the nation’s top linebacker in 2006. He finished his career with 309 tackles and 5 interceptions, and he went on to have a successful career in the NFL with the Houston Texans and San Francisco 49ers.
Marlon Humphrey: The First-Round NFL Draft Pick
Marlon Humphrey was a standout cornerback for Alabama in the late 2010s, and he was a first-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. Humphrey wore the number 44 in his final season at Alabama, and he was a consensus All-American who helped lead the team to the national championship game in 2016. He went on to have a successful rookie season with the Baltimore Ravens, and he has become one of the top young players in the NFL.
Najee Harris: The Heisman Finalist and National Champion
Najee Harris is the latest Alabama player to wear the number 44, and he has already left his mark on the program. Harris was a key member of the team’s national championship run in 2020, and he finished the season as a Heisman Trophy finalist. He wore the number 22 for his first three seasons at Alabama, but he switched to the iconic number 44 for his senior season, citing the legacy of the players who have worn it before him.
Conclusion: The Enduring Legacy of Number 44 in Alabama Football
As this article has demonstrated, the number 44 has a long and storied history in Alabama football. From Bart Starr to Najee Harris, the players who have worn this number have left an indelible mark on the program and the sport. Whether they were dominant pass rushers, bruising running backs, or lockdown cornerbacks, these players have set the standard for excellence at Alabama, and their legacy will continue to inspire future generations of players for years to come.
