Ernie Davis

Ernest R. Davis (December 14, 1939 – May 18, 1963) was an American college football player for the Syracuse Orangemen who won the Heisman Trophy in 1961. He was the award's first African American recipient. Davis was selected by the Washington Redskins with the first overall pick of the 1962 NFL Draft, but was almost immediately traded to the Cleveland Browns. He was diagnosed with leukemia that same year, and died shortly after at age 23 without ever playing in a professional game. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1979 and was the subject of the 2008 film The Express: The Ernie Davis Story.

Ernie Davis
Davis in 1962
No. 45
Position:Halfback
Personal information
Born:(1939-12-14)December 14, 1939
New Salem, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Died:May 18, 1963(1963-05-18) (aged 23)
Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:210 lb (95 kg)
Career information
High school:Elmira Free
(Elmira, New York)
College:Syracuse (1959–1961)
NFL draft:1962 / Round: 1 / Pick: 1
AFL draft:1962 / Round: 1 / Pick: 4
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
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