Eastern Michigan Athletics
Bryson Cannon Chosen to Continue Legacy of No. 2 for 2021 Season
9/2/2021 7:14:00 PM | Football
Eastern will also rotate the No. 0 to the player that best embodies the team’s "Hard Hat Defense" mentality
Video: The Deuce Reveal | No. 0 Reveal
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- One of the most important decisions a college football player makes comes long before they ever step onto the field for a game; That choice is what number they will choose to wear. After all, the jersey a player chooses means much more than just the number itself. Athletes develop a special bond with the number they choose to wear. It becomes part of their identity, especially in a sport like football where the players' heads are covered by their helmets. This decision is personal and special to each player. It is a choice that usually is theirs to make, excluding position restrictions and players wanting the same number.
For the Eastern Michigan University football team, the number two jersey, known as 'The Deuce', must be earned in remembrance of wide receiver Demarius Reed, who passed away on Oct. 18, 2013. Put back into circulation in 2017 with the blessing of Reed's family and former teammates, his number once again graces the field at Rynearson Stadium on the back of the squad's best senior pass catcher.
This season, senior tight end Bryson Cannon (Columbia, S.C.-Dutch Fork (Independence)) has earned the honor to don the No. 2 jersey as part of the tradition, Head Coach Chris Creighton announced Thursday, Sept. 2, following the team's practice at Rynearson Stadium.
Perhaps the most special unveiling of the honor to date, Cannon not only got the news from Creighton, but from the Reed family themselves, who joined the team following their practice today inside Rynearson Stadium. His father Carl will lead both the Reed family and the entire EMU football family out of T.J.'s Garage, with the symbol of the program, the 51-pound pipe wrench, atop his shoulders. An EMU tradition since 2014, the wrench symbolizes the ability for one to overcome adversity and respond positively to life's worst challenges and tragedies. Choosing to carry the wrench means choosing to attack adversity head on, something that the family of Demarius Reed has done since his tragic passing.
"It is incredible to have D-Reed's family here in person," said Creighton. "We circled the 'E' with them at mid-field following today's practice, where their son's jersey is buried. It was obviously very emotional, but the strength and courage that they have shown in supporting this (The Deuce tradition) and being a part of it is just phenomenal."
Players do not get the opportunity to choose No. 2 by picking it out in the equipment room. They earn it through their actions both on and off the field. This player possesses the integrity, character, and selflessness all of EMU's football players and representatives strive to build within themselves.
Cannon played in five games and made two starts for the Green and White in 2020. He hauled in nine receptions for 178 yards and two touchdowns during the shortened season, and led all tight ends in receptions, yards, and yards per catch (19.78 – also led team). He had the longest catch for an Eagle in 2020, 79 yards against Central Michigan, Nov. 27, and had a season-best 86 yards against the Chippewas. Cannon had a season-high five receptions at Ball State. Nov. 11.
"Bryson Cannon has earned this," remarked Creighton just moments after he informed his senior tight end of the decision. "He has worked so hard, and he has taken his game, his work ethic, his attitude, his demeanor, his everything, to the highest level. Everybody knows it and has seen it, and we know he is primed and ready for an unbelievable senior year."
On the heels of a Second Team Preseason All-MAC honor from Athlon Sports, Cannon's position coach, Brandon Blaney, has also provided high praise for the Palmetto State native, saying "In all my years coaching, in both college and the NFL, I don't know if I have ever seen someone have a more productive camp than what Bryson did this fall.
Affectionately known as 'D. Reed' by his teammates, Reed was a natural-born leader that made friends easily. He excelled both athletically and academically throughout his life, and quickly became a leader both on and off the field at EMU. Known as the "locker room joker", Reed impacted everyone he met.
"When former teammates and Demarius' father both thought that this new tradition was a great way to honor his memory, we knew we got it right," added Creighton. "I truly believe that wearing 'The Deuce' will forever be a special honor in this program."
EMU has continued to recognize Reed's influence on the football program since his passing. His jersey is buried at midfield under the Block E logo inside Rynearson Stadium, while a plaque now memorializes his accomplishments inside the locker room at the Student-Athlete Performance Center.
In 2017, former Tampa Bay Buccaneer wide receiver Sergio Bailey II wore the 'The Deuce' before former walk-on Blake Banham earned the honor in 2018. Clinton, Mich. native Mathew Sexton donned the jersey in 2019, before Cannon's teammate and team captain Thomas Odukoya (Almere, Netherlands-Helen Parkhust (Garden City) sported the number in 2020.
In addition to the No. 2 jersey, Creighton and company also awarded one more special number on Thursday. Back for its second year will be the weekly honor of wearing the No. 0 jersey. Prior to 2020, No. 0 was not a legal number for NCAA football.
According to team officials, No. 0 will be worn by the defensive player each week that best embodies the team's "Hard Hat Defense" mentality. The three characteristics that a player must achieve to be part of EMU's "Hard Hat D,' are: selfless, hardworking, and tough. The player that wears No. 0 will change every week and will be awarded based on the individual's previous week performance.
Senior captain Turan Rush (Charleston West Side, W.Va.-Capital (Antelope Valley)) has been given the opportunity to wear the No. 0 jersey against the Red Flash, Sept. 3. With the announcement, Rush will officially become the first two-time recipient of the honor after he was chose for it also in the 2020 season finale, against Northern Illinois, Dec. 12
Cannon and Rush will don their new jerseys for the first time as Eastern football opens its 130th season Friday, Sept. 3, at The Factory inside Rynearson Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7:05 p.m. with the game available on ESPN3 and WEMU (89.1 FM).
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- One of the most important decisions a college football player makes comes long before they ever step onto the field for a game; That choice is what number they will choose to wear. After all, the jersey a player chooses means much more than just the number itself. Athletes develop a special bond with the number they choose to wear. It becomes part of their identity, especially in a sport like football where the players' heads are covered by their helmets. This decision is personal and special to each player. It is a choice that usually is theirs to make, excluding position restrictions and players wanting the same number.
For the Eastern Michigan University football team, the number two jersey, known as 'The Deuce', must be earned in remembrance of wide receiver Demarius Reed, who passed away on Oct. 18, 2013. Put back into circulation in 2017 with the blessing of Reed's family and former teammates, his number once again graces the field at Rynearson Stadium on the back of the squad's best senior pass catcher.
This season, senior tight end Bryson Cannon (Columbia, S.C.-Dutch Fork (Independence)) has earned the honor to don the No. 2 jersey as part of the tradition, Head Coach Chris Creighton announced Thursday, Sept. 2, following the team's practice at Rynearson Stadium.
Perhaps the most special unveiling of the honor to date, Cannon not only got the news from Creighton, but from the Reed family themselves, who joined the team following their practice today inside Rynearson Stadium. His father Carl will lead both the Reed family and the entire EMU football family out of T.J.'s Garage, with the symbol of the program, the 51-pound pipe wrench, atop his shoulders. An EMU tradition since 2014, the wrench symbolizes the ability for one to overcome adversity and respond positively to life's worst challenges and tragedies. Choosing to carry the wrench means choosing to attack adversity head on, something that the family of Demarius Reed has done since his tragic passing.
"It is incredible to have D-Reed's family here in person," said Creighton. "We circled the 'E' with them at mid-field following today's practice, where their son's jersey is buried. It was obviously very emotional, but the strength and courage that they have shown in supporting this (The Deuce tradition) and being a part of it is just phenomenal."
Players do not get the opportunity to choose No. 2 by picking it out in the equipment room. They earn it through their actions both on and off the field. This player possesses the integrity, character, and selflessness all of EMU's football players and representatives strive to build within themselves.
Cannon played in five games and made two starts for the Green and White in 2020. He hauled in nine receptions for 178 yards and two touchdowns during the shortened season, and led all tight ends in receptions, yards, and yards per catch (19.78 – also led team). He had the longest catch for an Eagle in 2020, 79 yards against Central Michigan, Nov. 27, and had a season-best 86 yards against the Chippewas. Cannon had a season-high five receptions at Ball State. Nov. 11.
"Bryson Cannon has earned this," remarked Creighton just moments after he informed his senior tight end of the decision. "He has worked so hard, and he has taken his game, his work ethic, his attitude, his demeanor, his everything, to the highest level. Everybody knows it and has seen it, and we know he is primed and ready for an unbelievable senior year."
On the heels of a Second Team Preseason All-MAC honor from Athlon Sports, Cannon's position coach, Brandon Blaney, has also provided high praise for the Palmetto State native, saying "In all my years coaching, in both college and the NFL, I don't know if I have ever seen someone have a more productive camp than what Bryson did this fall.
Affectionately known as 'D. Reed' by his teammates, Reed was a natural-born leader that made friends easily. He excelled both athletically and academically throughout his life, and quickly became a leader both on and off the field at EMU. Known as the "locker room joker", Reed impacted everyone he met.
"When former teammates and Demarius' father both thought that this new tradition was a great way to honor his memory, we knew we got it right," added Creighton. "I truly believe that wearing 'The Deuce' will forever be a special honor in this program."
EMU has continued to recognize Reed's influence on the football program since his passing. His jersey is buried at midfield under the Block E logo inside Rynearson Stadium, while a plaque now memorializes his accomplishments inside the locker room at the Student-Athlete Performance Center.
In 2017, former Tampa Bay Buccaneer wide receiver Sergio Bailey II wore the 'The Deuce' before former walk-on Blake Banham earned the honor in 2018. Clinton, Mich. native Mathew Sexton donned the jersey in 2019, before Cannon's teammate and team captain Thomas Odukoya (Almere, Netherlands-Helen Parkhust (Garden City) sported the number in 2020.
In addition to the No. 2 jersey, Creighton and company also awarded one more special number on Thursday. Back for its second year will be the weekly honor of wearing the No. 0 jersey. Prior to 2020, No. 0 was not a legal number for NCAA football.
According to team officials, No. 0 will be worn by the defensive player each week that best embodies the team's "Hard Hat Defense" mentality. The three characteristics that a player must achieve to be part of EMU's "Hard Hat D,' are: selfless, hardworking, and tough. The player that wears No. 0 will change every week and will be awarded based on the individual's previous week performance.
Senior captain Turan Rush (Charleston West Side, W.Va.-Capital (Antelope Valley)) has been given the opportunity to wear the No. 0 jersey against the Red Flash, Sept. 3. With the announcement, Rush will officially become the first two-time recipient of the honor after he was chose for it also in the 2020 season finale, against Northern Illinois, Dec. 12
Cannon and Rush will don their new jerseys for the first time as Eastern football opens its 130th season Friday, Sept. 3, at The Factory inside Rynearson Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7:05 p.m. with the game available on ESPN3 and WEMU (89.1 FM).
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