Ernie Davis facts for kids
Davis in 1962
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| No. 45 | |
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| Position: | Halfback |
| Personal information | |
| Born: | December 14, 1939 New Salem, Pennsylvania, US |
| Died: | May 18, 1963 (aged 23) Cleveland, Ohio, US |
| Height: | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
| Weight: | 212 lb (96 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school: | Elmira Free Academy (Elmira, New York) |
| College: | Syracuse (1959–1961) |
| NFL Draft: | 1962 / Round: 1 / Pick: 1 |
| AFL draft: | 1962 / Round: 1 / Pick: 4 |
| Career history | |
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| Career highlights and awards | |
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College Football Hall of Fame
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Ernest "Ernie" Davis (born December 14, 1939 – died May 18, 1963) was an amazing American football player. He made history in 1961 by winning the Heisman Trophy, becoming the first African-American player to receive this top award. Ernie played college football for Syracuse University. He was the very first player picked in the 1962 NFL Draft by the Washington Redskins. Soon after, he was traded to the Cleveland Browns. Sadly, Ernie was diagnosed with leukemia that same year. He passed away at just 23 years old, before he could play in a professional game. In 1979, he was honored by being inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. His inspiring story was even made into a movie in 2008 called The Express: The Ernie Davis Story.
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Ernie's Early Life and Talents
Ernie Davis was born in New Salem, Pennsylvania. His father died when Ernie was very young. His mother, Avis Marie Davis Fleming, couldn't raise him alone. So, his grandparents, Willie and Elizabeth Davis, took care of him from when he was a baby.
When Ernie was 12, he moved to Elmira, New York, to live with his mother and stepfather. In Elmira, he quickly showed how talented he was in sports. He was great at baseball, basketball, and football. He went to Elmira Free Academy high school. There, he earned "All-American" honors twice, meaning he was one of the best high school players in the country. Many colleges wanted him to play for them. He chose Syracuse University after being encouraged by Jim Brown, a famous Syracuse football player.
College Football Star at Syracuse
Ernie Davis played football for Coach Ben Schwartzwalder at Syracuse University from 1959 to 1961. He became nationally famous during these years. He was named a first-team All-American twice.
In 1959, as a sophomore, Ernie led the Syracuse team to a national championship. They had a perfect 11–0 season. They won the 1960 Cotton Bowl Classic against the Texas Longhorns with a score of 23–14. Ernie was named the Most Valuable Player of that game. That same year, a sports writer called him the "Elmira Express" because of how fast he ran.
In 1960, his junior year, Ernie set a record by averaging 7.8 yards per carry. He was the third-leading rusher in the country with 877 yards. He ran for over 100 yards in six of his nine games. In his senior year, 1961, Syracuse finished with an 8–3 record. They won the Liberty Bowl against the Miami Hurricanes. Back then, players often played both offense and defense.
Facing Challenges in the South
During Ernie's time, there was a lot of discrimination in the Southern United States. When Ernie and his team went to Dallas, Texas, for the Cotton Bowl, they faced unfair treatment. At a banquet after the 1960 game, Ernie and his black teammates were asked to leave after eating their meal. This was because the facility was segregated. Some of his teammates wanted to leave with them to show support, but they were told it would cause more problems. This shows the challenges black athletes faced during that time.
Winning the Heisman Trophy
In 1961, Ernie Davis made history. He became the first black athlete to win the Heisman Trophy. This is the highest individual honor in college football. He also won the Walter Camp Memorial Trophy.
President John F. Kennedy admired Ernie's career. He even asked to meet Ernie when he was in New York City to receive the Heisman. Later, in 1963, when Elmira celebrated Ernie's achievements, President Kennedy sent a special message. He praised Ernie for his high standards on and off the field. He called Ernie an "outstanding American" and a "worthy example of our youth."
Ernie wore the number 44 at Syracuse, just like the legendary Jim Brown had. This started a tradition at the school. On November 12, 2005, Syracuse officially retired the number 44 to honor all the great athletes who wore it. Ernie also played basketball for Syracuse for one season. To further honor the number 44, Syracuse University even got permission to change its ZIP code to 13244!
Ernie was also part of the Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity. He was the first African-American member of this national Jewish fraternity. He was also in the Army ROTC program and became a second lieutenant after graduating. In 1979, Ernie was honored by being inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
Professional Football Career and Illness
Ernie Davis was the very first player chosen in the 1962 NFL Draft on December 4, 1961. The Washington Redskins picked him. However, he was almost immediately traded to the Cleveland Browns. He had also been drafted by the Buffalo Bills of the American Football League a couple of days earlier.
The Redskins' owner, George Preston Marshall, had a history of not signing black players. This was to appeal to his fans in the South. But the U.S. government stepped in. The Secretary of the Interior said the Redskins had to sign a black player or lose their stadium lease. So, the Redskins picked Ernie Davis. However, Ernie refused to play for them and asked for a trade.
He was traded to the Cleveland Browns. This was a great move for Ernie. He wanted to play with Jim Brown, whom he looked up to. His college teammate and friend, John Brown, was also going to be his roommate there.
Ernie signed a three-year contract with the Browns for $200,000. This was a huge amount for a rookie player back then. It was the most money any NFL rookie had ever received.
The Browns dreamed of having both Ernie Davis and Jim Brown playing together. But this dream was shattered when Ernie was diagnosed with leukemia. This was a type of cancer that affects the blood. Even though his leukemia went into remission for a while, the Browns' coach, Paul Brown, decided not to let him play. He felt it would affect the team's morale.
Ernie was allowed to practice with the team without physical contact. He even helped the coach plan games. But he never got to play in a real professional game. His only appearance at Cleveland Stadium was during a pre-season game. A spotlight followed him as he ran onto the field. After he passed away, the Browns honored him by retiring his number 45 jersey.
Ernie's Passing and Legacy
In the summer of 1962, while getting ready for a game, Ernie woke up with a swollen neck. He was hospitalized and soon diagnosed with acute monocytic leukemia. This disease was incurable. Ernie passed away at just 23 years old on May 18, 1963, in Cleveland.
Both houses of the United States Congress spoke about Ernie's life and achievements. More than 10,000 people came to his wake in Elmira, New York, to pay their respects. President Kennedy's message was read aloud at his funeral. Ernie Davis is buried at Woodlawn Cemetery in Elmira.
Today, a statue of Ernie stands in front of the school named after him, Ernie Davis Academy. Another statue is on the campus of Syracuse University. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1979. In New York, the best high school football players play in the Ernie Davis Classic game every year.
The Express Movie
A movie about Ernie's life, called The Express: The Ernie Davis Story, was released on October 10, 2008. It was directed by Gary Fleder. The movie was based on a book about Ernie called The Elmira Express: the Story of Ernie Davis.
Rob Brown played Ernie Davis in the movie. Dennis Quaid played Ernie's Syracuse University coach, Ben Schwartzwalder.
In 2011, two rival high schools in Elmira, Southside High School (Elmira, New York) and Elmira Free Academy, combined their sports teams. They named their new team the Elmira Express, in honor of Ernie Davis.
Ernie's Amazing Achievements
- Led the 1959 Syracuse team to a national championship.
- Named Most Valuable Player in the 1960 Cotton Bowl Classic.
- Set a record of 7.8 yards per carry in 1960.
- Received the Heisman Trophy and Walter Camp Memorial Trophy in 1961.
- Selected as the first pick in the 1962 NFL Draft by the Washington Redskins.
- Traded to the Cleveland Browns in 1962.
- Honored by being inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1979.
See also
In Spanish: Ernie Davis para niños
