There was a recent uproar at Syracuse University about "un-retiring" the No. 44, which Pro Football Hall of Fame running backs Jim Brown and Floyd Little, plus Heisman Trophy winner Ernie Davis, wore from 1954-66. (Rob Konrad did too in the late 1990s before it was retired.)

That prompted some food for thought. If Notre Dame were to retire only one number in football, what would it be? The most popular responses probably would be the odd-numbered and single-digit QBs who donned 3, 5, 7 and 9.

No. 3 included luminaries such as College Football Hall of Fame inductee Ralph Guglielmi (1951-54), Joe Montana (1974-78), and Rick Mirer (1989-92) — and let's not forget Coley O'Brien (1966-68), who finished off the run to the 1966 national title.

No. 3 also includes kicker Harry Oliver, whose 1980 season was among the best ever by a kicker at Notre Dame, quarterback-turned-receiver Arnaz Battle, top running back Darius Walker (2004-06) and all-time career receiver Michael Floyd (2008-11).

No. 5 has a good mix beyond quarterbacks Paul Hornung (1954-56), a Heisman winner, Terry Hanratty (1966-68), Blair Kiel (1980-83) and most recently Everett Golson. Fullback Elmer Layden (1922-24) was one of the famed Four Horsemen, receiver Rhema McKnight (2002-06) caught 170 career passes, and Manti Te'o (2009-12) had one of the greatest seasons ever by a college linebacker in 2012 while finishing second in the Heisman race.

No. 7 featured Heisman winner John Huarte in 1964 and the runner-up in 1970 with Joe Theismann, plus long-time NFL player Steve Beuerlein (1983-86), Jarious Jackson (1995-99), Carlyle Holiday (2000-04) and Jimmy Clausen, who in 2009 broke the 60-year single-season pass efficiency record at Notre Dame.

Plus, there were starters on national title teams in 1973 (cornerback Tim Rudnick) and 1988 (linebacker Andre Jones).

Finally, No. 9 included national title QBs George Ratterman in 1946 (who split time with John Lujack), Bob Williams (1949), who is in the College Football Hall of Fame and Tony Rice (1987-89). Defensive back Jeff Burris (1990-93), tight end Kyle Rudolph (2008-10) and current linebacker Jaylon Smith also have starred with that jersey number.

Yet a strong case could be made that from 1946-87, No. 81 distinguished itself over four decades like none other at Notre Dame.

There are five players in school history who are in both the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame. Three of them wore 81: lineman George Connor (1946-47), defensive end Alan Page (1965-66, after wearing No. 78 in 1964) and receiver/return man Tim Brown (1984-87).

Meanwhile, tight end Ken MacAfee (1974-77) is the lone three-time first-team All-American in this group. One of 16 Irish players named a consensus All-American twice, he joins Leon Hart (1947-49) and Chris Zorich (1988-90) as the only ones to make first-team All-America three different years, and he also won the 1977 Walter Camp Award during the march to the national title.

Connor was the first Outland Trophy winner in college football, and Hornung often referred to him as the greatest ever to don the Gold and Blue. He also distinguished himself in business and as a color commentator, including Notre Dame games.

Page and Brown hold the Notre Dame record for most Pro Bowl appearances with nine apiece. Page equally distinguished himself in law, starting with election to the Minnesota Supreme Court in 1992, and in educational services. In 1995, Brown became the National Chairman of Athletes & Entertainers for Kids and the related 9-1-1 For Kids. These organizations have helped over five million children and teens through mentoring and educational programs.

MacAfee has become a renowned oral surgeon and has also been involved in United Way, Health Volunteers Overseas, Physicians Fighting Cancer, Homes for Homeless, AIDS Awareness Center, and Home for Wayward Children.

On and off the field, that 40-year stretch with No. 81 is tough to beat at Notre Dame. If only one could be retired, that might be it.