Demmerle's Number Retired

Former wide receiver Pete Demmerle's #23 became the first ever Rams Football   number to be retired. In the halftime ceremony of the Homecoming game between New Canaan and St. Joseph, Demmerle's wife Kate and two of their four daughters, Tessa and Nina, accepted Rams jerseys from Athletic Director Jay Egan and Football Coach Lou Marinelli emblazoned with Demmerle's name. As an added touch a circle was painted on the 23-yard line of Dunning Field.

Pete Demmerle had an outstanding career at New Canaan High School. He was named to the All-FCIAC and All-State teams in 1969-70. He still holds school records for career receptions (165), yards (2,550) and touchdowns (28).

During the dedication ceremony, the stadium announcer recounted a practice in which Demmerle dropped the ball; former Rams Coach Lynch then threw the ball over the fence and said, "defective."

Demmerle went on to Notre Dame where he was a starter on the school's 1973 team that took the national championship at the Sugar Bowl. He led the team in receiving in that championship season and the following year as well.

In addition to being named All-American, he was also named to the Academic All-American team and was a Rhodes Scholarship candidate.

Demmerle was a 13th-round draft pick of the San Diego Chargers in 1975, but never played for them because of an injury. He went on to law school and then a successful law career.

He was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), the neurodegenerative illness commonly known as Lou Gehrig's Disease in 1999. After battling the disease for eight  years, Demmerle passed away in 2007 at the age of 53.

Marinelli said that he had hoped to retire #23 last year but wanted to make certain that the Rams and the Demmerle family could coordinate on details and specifics. No Rams player wore #23 last season.

Marinelli said he didn't know Demmerle very well although he had met him a few times. He added that he shared an office with Demmerle's former coach, Bob Lynch and that Lynch talked about him all the time.

"He is someone we want our athletes to emulate, males and females, because he was not just about athletics but academics," Marinelli said.