Aaron Casey’s tribute to IU football legend George Taliaferro will continue Tuesday when he takes the field at the Bengals mini-camp wearing No. 44.
Casey, who signed as a free agent with Cincinnati following the 2024 NFL Draft, was chosen by the IU staff prior to the 2022 season to wear No. 44 in honor of Taliaferro, who passed in 2018.
Often referred to as the “Jackie Robinson of the NFL”, Taliaferro was the first African-American drafted into the NFL. The Chicago Bears took him with their 13th round pick in 1949.
As a freshman at IU, Taliaferro became the first African-American to lead the Big Ten in rushing (719 yards) as Indiana finished the 1945 season undefeated at 9-0-1 and Big Ten champions. After serving in the Army, he led the Hoosiers in rushing and passing yards in 1948.
“What a honor to represent the legacy of Mr. George Taliaferro,” Casey said in 2022 when chosen to wear his jersey number.
Casey wore No. 44 for two seasons at IU, and Taliaferro’s daughters were thrilled to learn he’ll continue to carry the torch in the NFL.
“When you see him, tell him how much the Taliaferro girls are pleased and happy for him. That’s the message for Mr. Ace,” Renee Taliaferro said in an article on the Bengals official website.
“My dad would have been over the moon with him. Absolutely.”
Casey was specifically selected by the IU staff to wear Taliaferro’s number.
“I think Aaron Casey, who we all call Ace, we think he is a great representative to be the inaugural recipient of the George Taliaferro award,” then IU head coach Tom Allen said in 2022.
Although he wasn’t drafted, Casey seems to have a strong chance to make the Bengals roster in 2024. He could follow in the footsteps of linebacker Cam Jones, who a year earlier was undrafted out of IU but played in 17 games for the Chiefs and won a Super Bowl ring.
Here’s what Bengals senior writer Geoff Hobson said about the outlook for Casey in Cincinnati:
“With core special teamer Markus Bailey gone in free agency and the new kickoff rule favoring the size and dexterity of linebackers, there’s at least one opening on a 53-man roster that hasn’t drafted a linebacker since Bailey in the 2020 seventh round.”
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