 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (November 2023) |
 Davis with the Cleveland Browns in 1962 | |
| No. 45 | |
|---|---|
| Position: | Halfback |
| Personal information | |
| Born: | December 14, 1939 New Salem, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died: | May 18, 1963 (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 | |
| |
Ernest R. Davis (December 14, 1939 – May 18, 1963) was an American college football player who was a halfback for the Syracuse Orangemen who won the Heisman Trophy in 1961. He was the award's first black recipient.[1][2][3] Davis was selected first overall by the Washington Redskins in the 1962 NFL draft but was almost immediately traded to the Cleveland Browns.[4] He was diagnosed with leukemia that same year,[5][6] and died shortly after at age 23 without ever playing in a professional game.[3] 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.
- ^ Carter, Bob (1999). "Davis won Heisman, respect". ESPN Classic. Retrieved January 12, 2017.
- ^ "Browns' Davis succumbs in battle with leukemia". Toledo Blade. (Ohio). Associated Press. May 19, 1963. p. 1, sec.3.
- ^ a b "Ernie Davis loses battle with leukemia". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). Associated Press. May 18, 1963. p. 1B.
- ^ "Ernie Davis Joins Cleveland Browns". Syracuse Post-Standard. Syracuse, New York. December 23, 1961. p. 9. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
- ^ "Blood disorder expected to keep Davis on sidelines". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). Associated Press. August 2, 1962. p. 1D.
- ^ "Illness may delay Davis' NFL debut". Chicago Tribune. August 2, 1962. p. 3, part 6.
