For parts of the past week, Syracuse’s upcoming game against Tulane fell into the background.

A week ago, Rob Edson, a former chief financial officer and senior associate director of athletics at Syracuse, died from an apparent heart attack last Saturday. The week was filled with memorials and emotional press conferences from head coach Scott Shafer. Edson’s wife Sue is currently the assistant athletics director/communications for SU and works closely with the team.

Before the Orange’s 52-17 win over the Green Wave, Syracuse honored Rob Edson by painting his initials on the turf near the end zone, where he stood at every game, and with a moment of silence.

“God loves their family,” Shafer said. “Great family, and they will fight forward. They got the love of the whole Syracuse community behind them.”

Before the game, the Orange declared that it would win “No. 2 for Sue.” Fullback Clay Cleveland tweeted about it before the game and after scoring his first career touchdown, he prayed in the end zone.

“Sue Edson means a lot to us,” he said. “I never met Rob personally, but we were at the funeral. We were all so moved. This is for them.”

After the game, all of the players signed the game ball to give to the Edson family.

“We had a death in the football family,” defensive back Darius Kelly said. “That’s all we’ve been talking about. Getting this win for Sue Edson and her kids, that’s what we’ve wanted to do.”

SU Athletics officials further honored Rob Edson during the game by wearing sweater vests, his trademark wardrobe choice.

Sue Edson has been away from the team during the week, but she will return with her beloved Orange one game better in the win column.

“It was an emotional week,” Shafer said, “and now we’ve got to keep fighting on and being there to support one another.”

Published on September 21, 2013 at 6:56 pm

Contact David: dbwilson@syr.edu | @DBWilson2