SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The No. 72 worn by former Syracuse defensive lineman Tim Green will be retired at halftime of next season’s home opener against defending national champion Clemson.
Green, the Orange’s career sacks leader with 45.5, will join a short list of former players who have had their numbers retired, including Larry Csonka, John Mackey, Donovan McNabb, Don McPherson, Joe Morris, and running backs Jim Brown, Ernie Davis and Floyd Little.
Green was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the first round in 1986 and played eight seasons with them before retiring. Now 55, he’s stricken with a slow-progressing version of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS.
Green and his family have started a fundraising effort for ALS research at Massachusetts General Hospital called Tackle ALS. So far, it’s generated more than $2.1 million for research.