Ernie Davis Wins Heisman Trophy on November 28, 1961

On November 28, 1961, an African-American becomes the first African-American to win the most coveted individual prize in American football. It was on this day that Syracuse running back Ernie Davis won the Heisman Trophy in a time where African-Americans had a tough time getting scholarship offers to play sports in school while trying to establish racial equality.

Davis, who later become known as the Elmira Express, was on outstanding football player at Elmira Free Academy. So much so that he was named an All-American in high school while also excelling at baseball and basketball, too. His talent garnered him 50 scholarship offers to play college football. He would choose Syracuse.

In 1959, Davis helped Syracuse win the national championship after capping their season with a win in the Cotton Bowl Classic over the Texas Longhorns. Syracuse hasn't won a national title since.

He was named an All-American for his play in 1960, but it was the following year where his best was yet to come.

Not only was he was a great running back, he was a solid cover cornerback and very capable tackler, too. He was a big running back at the time at 6'2" and weighing in at 210 lbs which helped him garner scholarship offers.

The 1961 season seen his team finish 8-3 where he rushed for 823 yards and 12 touchdowns breaking the then-school records set by legendary football player Jim Brown. Ironically, he wore the same No. 44 as Brown, too.

The last game of his career was in the Liberty Bowl as Syracuse beat the Miami Hurricanes 15-14. He was named MVP of the game rushing for 140 yards and touchdown as well as catching a pass for a two point conversion in bitter cold conditions. Little did anyone know this would be the last football game he would ever play.

Three of the four top vote-getters for the Heisman Trophy were African-American(Bob Ferguson of Ohio State and Sandy Stephens of Minnesota joined Davis). Since the award was first given out in 1935, only four times had an African-African American appeared in the top four vote-getters. Davis beat out Ferguson for the Heisman Trophy with 824 votes to 771.

The Washington Redskins chose him as the No. 1 overall choice in the NFL Draft. The AFL's Buffalo Bills also chose Davis as the No. 4 overall pick. Redskins owner George Preston Marshall was known for being tight with his money, and decided to sign 8th round pick Ron Hatcher out of Michigan State instead. Marshall traded Davis and rights to Cleveland for another African-American player in Bobby Mitchell. At the time, Jim Brown was in the midst of an iconic career in Cleveland, and the thought of Davis joining him in that same backfield excited Browns fans. But it wasn't to be.

Shortly after graduation from Syracuse, Davis was diagnosed with leukemia. Because of the disease, Davis missed out on playing in the College All-Star Game against the NFL Champion Green Bay Packers. He maintained a positive attitude up until his death on May 18, 1963 which was Jim Brown noted in Sport Magazine.

"I find it difficult to believe he's gone," said Brown. "Maybe it's because I never heard him complain. The way he acted he had me believing he'd make it. I knew Ernie when he was perfectly healthy. I knew him when he was sick. I watched him when I knew he had leukemia but he didn't. I watched him after he found out. I tried to see a difference. There wasn't any. He asked for nothing, wanted no special consideration, but was always grateful for whatever he received."

Just before his death on February 3, then-U.S. President John F. Kennedy decided to honor the achievements of Davis when he sent a telegram to Elmira:

"Seldom has an athlete been more deserving of such a tribute. Your high standards of performance on the field and off the field, reflect the finest qualities of competition, sportsmanship and citizenship. The nation has bestowed upon you its highest awards for your athletic achievements. It's a privilege for me to address you tonight as an outstanding American, and as a worthy example of our youth. I salute you."

A movie called The Express is based on his story with Rob Brown playing the role of Davis. Though it did receive mainly positive reviews, the film has been largely criticized for falsifying some of his story to sell tickets.

Davis dealt with racial tension in America in his rise to college football stardom. He became a legendary player at Syracuse doing what was then unthinkable by becoming the first African-American to win the Heisman Trophy. The only thing that put a halt to what could have been a legendary career in the NFL was a disease that no race is exempt from being diagnosed. Nonetheless, Ernie Davis still holds his place as a landmark player and person in college football and in life. For that, he should be remembered as not only one of the greatest college football players ever, but one of the best human beings, too.

Posted in: Browns, Cleveland Browns, college football, Heisman, Heisman Trophy, Syracuse, Syracuse Orange

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