Wade Davis (American football) facts for kids
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Wade Davis speaking at the
2018 Tribeca Film Festival |
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| No. 23, 25, 42, 36 | |
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| Position: | Cornerback |
| Personal information | |
| Born: | July 28, 1977 Little Rock, Arkansas, U.S. |
| Height: | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) |
| Weight: | 180 lb (82 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school: | Overland (Aurora, Colorado) |
| College: |
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| Undrafted: | 2000 |
| Career history | |
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| Career highlights and awards | |
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Wade Alan Davis II (born July 28, 1977) is an American speaker, activist, writer, and educator. He is also a former American football player.
Davis was born in Little Rock, Arkansas. He grew up in Shreveport, Louisiana and Aurora, Colorado. He played college football at Mesa State and Weber State. In 2000, Davis joined the Tennessee Titans of the NFL. He later played in NFL Europe for the Berlin Thunder and the Barcelona Dragons. He even won the World Bowl IX championship with the Berlin Thunder. After his football career, Davis became a leader for the New York Warriors, a team in the National Gay Flag Football League.
In 2012, Davis shared his personal story about being a football player and how he learned to be open about who he is. He now works to help others feel accepted and included.
Davis used to be a director for the You Can Play project. This group works to make sports welcoming for everyone. He also helped young people learn important life skills at the Hetrick-Martin Institute in New York City. Davis often gives talks and workshops around the world. He uses his experience as an athlete to encourage positive change.
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Early Life and College Football
Wade Davis was born in Little Rock, Arkansas. He spent most of his childhood in Shreveport, Louisiana. He grew up in a Southern Baptist family and went to church often. He was the only boy and the youngest child in his family. When he was young, he had trouble speaking and felt lonely. At age seven, Davis found his passion for football.
Later, Davis moved to Aurora, Colorado. He went to Overland High School and finished in 1996.
Davis started his college football career at Mesa State College. This was a small college in Grand Junction, Colorado, where he played in 1996. In 1997, he moved to Weber State University in Ogden, Utah. He played three seasons for the Weber State Wildcats football team. In 1997, he blocked two kicks. In his final year, 1999, he made 11 tackles in one game. He was also recognized as an honorable mention for the All-Big Sky Conference team. During his time at Weber State, Davis made 142 tackles, recovered one fumble, and stopped 20 passes.
Professional Football Career
At the NFL Scouting Combine in 2000, Davis ran the 40-yard dash in 4.55 seconds. The Tennessee Titans signed him on April 18, 2000. This was after the 2000 NFL draft. However, Davis was released after the team's training camp.
In 2001, the Titans sent Davis to the NFL Europe team, the Berlin Thunder. He started all 10 games as a left cornerback. He wore jersey number 23. Davis led Berlin with 57 tackles that season. He also helped his team win the World Bowl IX championship. After the NFL Europe season, he joined the Seattle Seahawks for their preseason in the NFL.
In 2002, the Barcelona Dragons picked Davis in the first round of the NFL Europe draft. He wore jersey number 25 for Barcelona. He made 41 tackles and stopped 6 passes. He also made 5 special teams tackles.
Davis returned to the Tennessee Titans in 2002, wearing jersey number 42. He participated in their training camp and preseason. But he was released before the regular season began. In 2003, he joined the Washington Redskins for training camp. He wore jersey #36. However, he retired from football because of a leg injury.
Activism and Public Speaking
Wade Davis's work and story have been shared by many news groups. These include The Washington Post, CNN, NPR, USA Today, and People Magazine.
Davis has also taught as a professor at New York University and Rutgers University. He taught about sports management and public affairs.
Davis joined the advisory board for You Can Play. This group works to fight unfair treatment in professional sports. In 2013, he became the executive director of the organization.
Davis also helped start the YOU Belong Initiative with Darnell L. Moore. This group offers sports training and leadership skills for young people. As part of YOU Belong, Davis also created the Speaker's Collective. This group supports and promotes professionals of color who are part of the LGBTQ community.
In 2014, Davis became the NFL's first diversity and inclusion consultant. He works with the NFL to help everyone feel welcome. He leads training sessions to break down barriers between the NFL and the LGBT community.
Davis created the "#ThisIsLuv" campaign with Darnell L. Moore. This campaign celebrates love within the Black community.
He also helped launch the Ms. Foundation campaign "#MyFeminismIs." Later, he worked with the Ms. Foundation and Ebony Magazine to start the "#BlackMenAndFeminism" campaign.
Television Appearances
In 2015, Davis was in a documentary called F(l)ag Football. This film was about the National Gay Flag Football League. The next year, in 2016, he appeared in the TV show American Crime. In 2019, he was a guest on the show Adam Ruins Everything. In this episode, he talked about how to challenge harmful ideas about masculinity.
Writing
Wade Davis has written for many publications. His articles have appeared in The Huffington Post, The New York Times, Sports Illustrated, and The Guardian.
His book, Interference, was planned to be released in 2015. This book will tell his story of growing up in a strict religious home. It will also share his work helping people understand and support the LGBTQ community.
Awards and Honors
- In 2014, Northeastern University gave Davis an honorary degree. This was for his leadership in fighting unfair treatment in sports.
- Named one of the 50 Black LGBT Adults That Black LGBT Youth Should Know. (2012, National Youth Pride Services)
- Named #46 on The Root 100, a list of Black influencers and achievers.
- Audre Lorde Founder's Award, Hispanic and Black Gay Coalition, 2012.
See also
- Homosexuality and bisexuality in American football
- List of LGBT writers
- List of people from Louisiana
- List of people from New York City
- List of Seattle Seahawks players
- List of Washington Redskins players
- List of Weber State University people
