Ernie Davis
Born-December 14th 1939, Died-May 18th 1963
Summary
Ernie Davis was a running back for Syracuse University and also the first African-American to win the Heisman Trophy. He was drafted by the Washington Redskins but was almost immediately traded to the Cleveland Browns in the December of 1961. However he never played in a professional game because he was diagnosed with leukemia in 1962.
College Career
Davis played for Syracuse University he wore the number 44 and gained national fame after just three seasons 1959-1961, twice winning first-team All American. As a sophomore in 1959, Davis led Syracuse to the NCAA Division 1-A national football championship capping an undefeated season with a 23-14 win over the University of Texas in the 1960 Cotton Bowl Classic, where Davis was named Most Valuable Player. Davis's senior year the Orangeman finished their season with a record of 8-wins and 3-losses, closing with a 15-14 victory over the Miami hurricanes in the Liberty Bowl. Davis then became the first black athlete to be awarded the Heisman Trophy and he also won the Walter Camp Memorial Trophy following his 1961 senior-year season at Syracuse University.
Professional Career
Davis was the number one pick in the 1962 NFL draft. Selected by the Washington Redskins he was then traded to the Cleveland Browns. He was also drafted by the Buffalo Bills from the American Football League. Davis signed a three-year, $200,000 contract with the Browns in late December 1961, It was the most lucrative contract for an NFL rookie up to that time. However the Browns dream of pairing Jim Brown and Ernie Davis in the backfield turned tragic when Davis was diagnosed with leukemia during the preparations for the 1962 Collage All-Star Game and the Browns training camp. The rift between Coach Brown and Model worsened when Modell brought in doctors who said Davis could play pro ball but Brown refused to suit him up. This contributed to Modell's decision to replace Brown before the 1963 season. Ernie was allowed to practice on the field (without physical contact) and helped Brown with play plans for the team, but was never played. Brown was concerned that Ernie's condition, although in a remission brought the morale of the team down. Davis never played a professional game but in 1962 in the pre-game season he ran out on to the field as the spotlight followed him, following his death the browns retired the number 45.
Death
In the summer of 1962, Davis was diagnosed with acute monocytic leukemia and began medical treatment The disease was incurable and he died in Cleveland Lakeside Hospital May 18, 1963, at the age of 23. Ernie went to Johns Hopkins when he was dying, three months after being diagnosed and through chemical treatments experienced a 4-5 month remission. Both the house and the senate of the United States eulogized Davis, and a wake was held at The Neighborhood House in Elmira, New York where more than 10,000 people came to pay their respects. During the funeral a message was received from President Kennedy and was read aloud during the ceremony. Davis is buried in Woodlawn Cemetery, Elmira, Chemung County, New York. His commemorative statue stands in front of Ernie Davis Middle School, which Davis attended as Elmira Free Academy during his high school years. The building was named in his honor after its conversion to a middle school. Another statue of Davis stands on the campus of Syracuse University.
To identify and recognize those athletes, coaches and contributors who have made significant contributions to athletics in Chemung County
Born-December 14th 1939, Died-May 18th 1963
Summary
Ernie Davis was a running back for Syracuse University and also the first African-American to win the Heisman Trophy. He was drafted by the Washington Redskins but was almost immediately traded to the Cleveland Browns in the December of 1961. However he never played in a professional game because he was diagnosed with leukemia in 1962.
College Career
Davis played for Syracuse University he wore the number 44 and gained national fame after just three seasons 1959-1961, twice winning first-team All American. As a sophomore in 1959, Davis led Syracuse to the NCAA Division 1-A national football championship capping an undefeated season with a 23-14 win over the University of Texas in the 1960 Cotton Bowl Classic, where Davis was named Most Valuable Player. Davis's senior year the Orangeman finished their season with a record of 8-wins and 3-losses, closing with a 15-14 victory over the Miami hurricanes in the Liberty Bowl. Davis then became the first black athlete to be awarded the Heisman Trophy and he also won the Walter Camp Memorial Trophy following his 1961 senior-year season at Syracuse University.
Professional Career
Davis was the number one pick in the 1962 NFL draft. Selected by the Washington Redskins he was then traded to the Cleveland Browns. He was also drafted by the Buffalo Bills from the American Football League. Davis signed a three-year, $200,000 contract with the Browns in late December 1961, It was the most lucrative contract for an NFL rookie up to that time. However the Browns dream of pairing Jim Brown and Ernie Davis in the backfield turned tragic when Davis was diagnosed with leukemia during the preparations for the 1962 Collage All-Star Game and the Browns training camp. The rift between Coach Brown and Model worsened when Modell brought in doctors who said Davis could play pro ball but Brown refused to suit him up. This contributed to Modell's decision to replace Brown before the 1963 season. Ernie was allowed to practice on the field (without physical contact) and helped Brown with play plans for the team, but was never played. Brown was concerned that Ernie's condition, although in a remission brought the morale of the team down. Davis never played a professional game but in 1962 in the pre-game season he ran out on to the field as the spotlight followed him, following his death the browns retired the number 45.
Death
In the summer of 1962, Davis was diagnosed with acute monocytic leukemia and began medical treatment The disease was incurable and he died in Cleveland Lakeside Hospital May 18, 1963, at the age of 23. Ernie went to Johns Hopkins when he was dying, three months after being diagnosed and through chemical treatments experienced a 4-5 month remission. Both the house and the senate of the United States eulogized Davis, and a wake was held at The Neighborhood House in Elmira, New York where more than 10,000 people came to pay their respects. During the funeral a message was received from President Kennedy and was read aloud during the ceremony. Davis is buried in Woodlawn Cemetery, Elmira, Chemung County, New York. His commemorative statue stands in front of Ernie Davis Middle School, which Davis attended as Elmira Free Academy during his high school years. The building was named in his honor after its conversion to a middle school. Another statue of Davis stands on the campus of Syracuse University.
To identify and recognize those athletes, coaches and contributors who have made significant contributions to athletics in Chemung County