Eastern Michigan Athletics
Tanner Knue Selected to Wear 'The Deuce' in 2023
8/31/2023 7:33:00 PM | Football
Zelinsky chosen to wear No. 0 this week, attesting to his embodiment of the 'Hard Hat Defense' mentality
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — Every year, changes take place during football season. And while the leaves on Midwest trees might be the first thing that comes to mind, another is equally as significant: changing jersey numbers. There are numerous reasons for a player to request certain numbers, each as unique as the player making the selection.
Then, there is 'The Deuce'. This jersey is special. It cannot be selected by a player through conventional means, such as requesting it through the equipment staff. Rather, the selection is made by a player through his actions on the field and off. He earns 'The Deuce' by demonstrating he possesses the integrity, character, and selflessness of EMU's football student-athletes and representatives strive to build within themselves.
For Eastern football, '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.
Following the team's final practice of fall camp, Aug. 31, inside Rynearson Stadium, Head Coach Chris Creighton announced graduate student Tanner Knue (Mason, Ohio/Mason) had earned the honor to don the No. 2 jersey. Knue, who previously wore No. 24, will have 'The Deuce' on his back Friday, Sept. 1, when the Eagles play host to the Bison of Howard University at 6:30 p.m. at Rynearson Stadium
Knue is coming off a strong 2022 campaign in which the All-Mid-American Conference Third Team honoree pulled down 45 catches for 632 yards and nine touchdowns, the third-most receiving scores in a single season in program history. Also named All-MAC Fourth Team by Phil Steele, Knue posted a 100-yard receiving performance against the University at Buffalo, Sept. 24, and twice pulled down multiple touchdowns in a game, including two in the opener against Eastern Kentucky University, Sept. 2, and two at Kent State University, Nov. 16.
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, respectively, and Hassan Beydoun was selected for 2022.
One other exception to jersey selection resides with No. 0. First permitted to be worn by the NCAA ahead of the 2020 season and entering its fourth season in circulation, Creighton and his staff reserve the No. 0 jersey as a weekly honor. 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.
For the season-opening game against Howard, the honor of wearing No. 0 belongs to senior Joseph Zelinsky (Cressona, Pa./Blue Mountain/Hudson Valley CC). Zelinsky, who joined the Eagles last year after one season with Hudson Valley, has worked his way into the projected starting lineup at defensive end.
Knue and Zelinsky will don their new jerseys for the first time as Eastern football opens its 132nd season Friday, Sept. 1, at The Factory inside Rynearson Stadium. Kickoff is set for 6:32 p.m. with the game available on ESPN+, WEMU (89.1 FM), and the Varsity Network app.
Then, there is 'The Deuce'. This jersey is special. It cannot be selected by a player through conventional means, such as requesting it through the equipment staff. Rather, the selection is made by a player through his actions on the field and off. He earns 'The Deuce' by demonstrating he possesses the integrity, character, and selflessness of EMU's football student-athletes and representatives strive to build within themselves.
For Eastern football, '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.
Following the team's final practice of fall camp, Aug. 31, inside Rynearson Stadium, Head Coach Chris Creighton announced graduate student Tanner Knue (Mason, Ohio/Mason) had earned the honor to don the No. 2 jersey. Knue, who previously wore No. 24, will have 'The Deuce' on his back Friday, Sept. 1, when the Eagles play host to the Bison of Howard University at 6:30 p.m. at Rynearson Stadium
Knue is coming off a strong 2022 campaign in which the All-Mid-American Conference Third Team honoree pulled down 45 catches for 632 yards and nine touchdowns, the third-most receiving scores in a single season in program history. Also named All-MAC Fourth Team by Phil Steele, Knue posted a 100-yard receiving performance against the University at Buffalo, Sept. 24, and twice pulled down multiple touchdowns in a game, including two in the opener against Eastern Kentucky University, Sept. 2, and two at Kent State University, Nov. 16.
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, respectively, and Hassan Beydoun was selected for 2022.
One other exception to jersey selection resides with No. 0. First permitted to be worn by the NCAA ahead of the 2020 season and entering its fourth season in circulation, Creighton and his staff reserve the No. 0 jersey as a weekly honor. 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.
For the season-opening game against Howard, the honor of wearing No. 0 belongs to senior Joseph Zelinsky (Cressona, Pa./Blue Mountain/Hudson Valley CC). Zelinsky, who joined the Eagles last year after one season with Hudson Valley, has worked his way into the projected starting lineup at defensive end.
Knue and Zelinsky will don their new jerseys for the first time as Eastern football opens its 132nd season Friday, Sept. 1, at The Factory inside Rynearson Stadium. Kickoff is set for 6:32 p.m. with the game available on ESPN+, WEMU (89.1 FM), and the Varsity Network app.
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