Eastern Michigan Athletics
Hassan Beydoun Chosen to Continue Legacy of No. 2 in 2022
9/1/2022 5:39:00 PM | Football
Eastern will continue to rotate the No. 0 to the player that best embodies the team’s “Hard Hat Defense” mentality
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 wide receiver Hassan Beydoun (Dearborn, Mich.-Dearborn) has earned the honor to don the No. 2 jersey as part of the tradition, Head Coach Chris Creighton announced Thursday, Sept. 1, following the team's practice at Rynearson Stadium.
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.
Selected to both the Athlon Sports and Phil Steele as a Preseason First Team All-MAC selection in 2022, Beydoun is coming off a historic 2021 campaign that saw him collect Second Team All-MAC honors. He set the EMU record for receptions in a season and led the MAC with 97 grabs, as he racked up 1,015 yards through the air. Beydoun's 2021 tally ranks fourth in the Eastern Michigan record book, while he also became EMU's first 1,000-yard wide out since 2004.
A two-time nominee for the Burlsworth Trophy, the former walk-on has 167 career receptions, a number that is good for fourth-most in program history. Beydoun is on pace to take over the number one spot in the category, as he sits just 81 receptions shy of all-time leader Eric Deslauriers (248).
Overall, he recorded three games with 10+ catches last season. Beydoun was one of only three players in the NCAA to have three-or-more such games. He also served as the Eagles' main return man, leading the squad in punt returns (11), punt return yards (62), kick returns (15), and kick return yards (284).
Beydoun recorded a game-high 11 catches for 83 yards in the LendingTree Bowl versus Liberty, Dec. 18. He totaled 12 receptions for a career-high 197 receiving yards and two touchdowns in a win at Toledo, Nov. 2. The Dearborn, Mich. native hauled in a career-high 14 receptions for 167 yards against Ball State, Oct. 16. That number is tied for 20th in all-time single game receptions at EMU, and was the best for an Eagle since the 2014 season. His 14 receptions are tied for fifth-most in a single-game all time at EMU.
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 tight ends Thomas Odukoya and Bryson Cannon sported the number in 2020 and 2021.
In addition to the No. 2 jersey, Creighton and company also awarded one more special number on Thursday. Back for its third 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 Blake Bogan (Grand Blanc, Mich.-Grand Blanc) has been given the opportunity to wear the No. 0 jersey against Eastern Kentucky, Sept. 2.
Beydoun and Bogan will don their new jerseys for the first time as Eastern football opens its 131st season Friday, Sept. 2, at The Factory inside Rynearson Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7:02 p.m. with the game available on ESPN3, WEMU (89.1 FM), and the Varsity Network app.
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 wide receiver Hassan Beydoun (Dearborn, Mich.-Dearborn) has earned the honor to don the No. 2 jersey as part of the tradition, Head Coach Chris Creighton announced Thursday, Sept. 1, following the team's practice at Rynearson Stadium.
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.
Selected to both the Athlon Sports and Phil Steele as a Preseason First Team All-MAC selection in 2022, Beydoun is coming off a historic 2021 campaign that saw him collect Second Team All-MAC honors. He set the EMU record for receptions in a season and led the MAC with 97 grabs, as he racked up 1,015 yards through the air. Beydoun's 2021 tally ranks fourth in the Eastern Michigan record book, while he also became EMU's first 1,000-yard wide out since 2004.
A two-time nominee for the Burlsworth Trophy, the former walk-on has 167 career receptions, a number that is good for fourth-most in program history. Beydoun is on pace to take over the number one spot in the category, as he sits just 81 receptions shy of all-time leader Eric Deslauriers (248).
Overall, he recorded three games with 10+ catches last season. Beydoun was one of only three players in the NCAA to have three-or-more such games. He also served as the Eagles' main return man, leading the squad in punt returns (11), punt return yards (62), kick returns (15), and kick return yards (284).
Beydoun recorded a game-high 11 catches for 83 yards in the LendingTree Bowl versus Liberty, Dec. 18. He totaled 12 receptions for a career-high 197 receiving yards and two touchdowns in a win at Toledo, Nov. 2. The Dearborn, Mich. native hauled in a career-high 14 receptions for 167 yards against Ball State, Oct. 16. That number is tied for 20th in all-time single game receptions at EMU, and was the best for an Eagle since the 2014 season. His 14 receptions are tied for fifth-most in a single-game all time at EMU.
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 tight ends Thomas Odukoya and Bryson Cannon sported the number in 2020 and 2021.
In addition to the No. 2 jersey, Creighton and company also awarded one more special number on Thursday. Back for its third 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 Blake Bogan (Grand Blanc, Mich.-Grand Blanc) has been given the opportunity to wear the No. 0 jersey against Eastern Kentucky, Sept. 2.
Beydoun and Bogan will don their new jerseys for the first time as Eastern football opens its 131st season Friday, Sept. 2, at The Factory inside Rynearson Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7:02 p.m. with the game available on ESPN3, WEMU (89.1 FM), and the Varsity Network app.
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