Ernie Davis

Ernie Davis (born December 13, 1939; died May 18, 1963) was a college football player for Syracuse University from 1959 until 1961. Nicknamed the "Elmira Express", Ernie was the first African-American athlete to win the Heisman Trophy and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1979.

Related Topics:
December 13 - 1939 - May 18 - 1963 - College football - Syracuse University - 1959 - 1961 - Heisman Trophy - College Football Hall of Fame - 1979

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Ernie Davis was a two-time first-team All-American halfback at Syracuse and is still the only Syracuse player ever to win the Heisman. Before attending Syracuse, he was a star athlete at Elmira Free Academy in Elmira, New York .

Related Topics:
Syracuse - Elmira, New York

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As a sophomore in 1959, Ernie led Syracuse to an undefeated season in which it won the Cotton Bowl and the NCAA Division I-A national football championship. Ernie was voted Most Valuable Player of the 1960 Cotton Bowl and the 1961 Liberty Bowl.

Related Topics:
1959 - Cotton Bowl - NCAA Division I-A national football champions - 1960 - 1961 - Liberty Bowl

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Ernie was recruited to Syracuse University by its former star Jim Brown and wore the same number 44 as Brown, establishing a tradition at the school.

Related Topics:
Syracuse University - Jim Brown

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Davis was the first player taken in the 1962 NFL Draft and was signed by the Cleveland Browns who hoped to pair him with Jim Brown in the backfield. However, Ernie was stricken with leukemia before the 1962 season and never played a game as a professional. Nonetheless, the Browns retired Davis' number, 46.

Related Topics:
1962 - NFL Draft - Cleveland Browns - Jim Brown - Leukemia

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By all accounts, Ernie Davis was an exceptional individual who is still remembered as such in his home town of Elmira, New York and at Syracuse University.

Related Topics:
Elmira, New York - Syracuse University

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