Coveted Football Jersey Ranks High Among Hoyas
September 26, 2009
When the Hoyas take the field on Sept. 26 – Homecoming Saturday – against the Howard University Bison, there's one jersey that will stand out; not necessarily for the quickest plays or the longest passes, but for the spirit of the game.
The No. 35 jersey, worn this year by fourth-year slotback Robert Lane (MSB'10), holds a special place in Hoya lore. For the past seven years, the uniform has been given to the Georgetown football player who best embodies the spirit of the late Joe Eacobacci (MSB'96) -- a former Hoya standout who died in the World Trade Center terrorist attacks on Sept. 11.
"Robert is a great leader for our team and a terrific representative for Georgetown," says Head Football Coach Kevin Kelly. "His attitude and hard work on the field and off of it is something that carries on the spirit of Joe Eacobacci."
Last year, Lane spent most of his time off the field due to a broken jaw incurred during the second game of the 2008 football season against Lafayette College in Easton, Pa. Instead of dwelling on a lost season, he worked out to prepare for this season, went through rehabilitation and reflected on the days when he first joined the team in 2006.
"Once I got to Georgetown and heard how good a ball player (Alex) Buz (Buzbee) was, I knew that wearing Number 35 was a huge deal," Lane says recalling his teammate who wore the jersey two years in a row. "Once I heard the jersey meant carrying on (Joe's) spirit of (play) … I realized that everyone on the field should be going as hard as number 35."
