Ernie Davis

• Born: December 14, 1939
• Birthplace: New Salem, Pennsylvania
• Died: May 18, 1963
• Place of death: Cleveland, Ohio

Sport: Football

Early Life

Ernie Davis was born on December 14, 1939, in New Salem, a small town in the coal-rich southwest corner of Pennsylvania. Ernie’s father was killed in an accident before Ernie was born, and so, when Ernie was fourteen months old, his mother left him to live with his grandparents in nearby Uniontown, Pennsylvania, while she searched for a job to support her only child.

Although Ernie’s grandfather worked as a coal miner, it was difficult for him to support the family. He had twelve children of his own, and the family lived in poverty.

Ernie dreamed, as a child, of becoming a professional athlete. His heroes were baseball star Stan Musial and Chicago Bears quarterback Johnny Lujack, men whose athletic skills had helped them escape the coal mines and steel mills of western Pennsylvania, where Ernie grew up.

The Road to Excellence

When Ernie was twelve years old, his mother settled in Elmira, New York, a community that became his adopted home. Even as early as grade school, Ernie displayed the talents that eventually led to greatness. He could run faster, throw harder, and kick farther than anyone else in the school.

Ernie attended Elmira Free Academy High School, where he won eleven varsity letters. Many believed that he was a better basketball player than a football player, and his basketball statistics were certainly impressive. He set the all-Southern Tier Conference career scoring record with 1,605 points, averaging 18.4 points per game. In addition, his team won fifty-two consecutive games during his last two years at the school.

Ernie was a great player who could control a game. However, if his team had a sizable lead, he did not shoot or rebound or, sometimes, play defense. He let other players—even his opponents—have the opportunity to score points and to perform well in the game.

Ernie’s ambition, in spite of his basketball successes, had always been to be the best professional football player anywhere. Ernie therefore chose to concentrate on football instead of basketball.

The Emerging Champion

Although he had always dreamed of playing halfback for Notre Dame, Ernie chose to attend Syracuse University from among the thirty colleges that offered him a football scholarship, because he felt that Syracuse provided him with the best opportunity to run with the football. Once at Syracuse, he quickly became known as the “Elmira Express” because of his running ability.

Ernie wore number 44, the same number worn by a previous Syracuse great, Jim Brown. During the three years that Ernie played, he broke most of Brown’s records, including marks for total rushing yards, 2,386; yards per carry, 6.6; total touchdowns, 35; and total points, 220.

In his sophomore year, Ernie gained 686 yards and scored 64 points. Those numbers represented totals greater than the combined totals of all ten of Syracuse’s opponents that year. Playing both offense and defense, Ernie led the Orangemen to a 23-14 victory over Texas in the Cotton Bowl that year. In that game, he scored 16 of Syracuse’s points on 2 touchdowns and 2 two-point conversions, and set up the other touchdown with a pass interception. The win completed an undefeated season and enabled Syracuse to gain the number-one ranking in the country.

In his senior year, Ernie was awarded the Heisman Trophy as the best college football player in the United States. He was the first black player ever to receive the award. Perhaps his biggest thrill, though, occurred when President John F. Kennedy shook his hand following the Heisman ceremonies.

Ernie set an example of excellence for others both on and off the field. His grandfather, who had raised him until he was twelve years old, had been a strict disciplinarian, and Ernie’s character reflected this upbringing. Ernie was thoughtful and polite. He did not smoke, swear, or drink, and he willingly helped others when they needed assistance. He was a hero to many children, but especially to those in Elmira. At his college graduation, he was selected marshall by his fellow senior students and led his classmates into graduation ceremonies.

Continuing the Story

Playing in the NFL had always been Ernie’s dream. When he was drafted by the Cleveland Browns and was going to join Jim Brown in the same backfield, his dream seemed to be realized.

However, Ernie never got to play in the NFL. In July of 1962, Ernie was diagnosed as having leukemia, and he died from this disease in Cleveland, Ohio, on May 18, 1963, at the age of twenty-three.

People still remember his funeral. He was so well respected and liked that thousands of people attended, including almost the entire Cleveland Browns football team. There were lines of mourners two blocks long waiting to pay their respects.

The people of Elmira never forgot Ernie or the courage, sportsmanship, and other good qualities that he displayed. Elmira Free Academy was renamed Ernie Davis Junior High School, and in 1988, to commemorate the twenty-fifth anniversary of Ernie’s death, a life-size bronze statue of him was dedicated in front of the school. A city park, located across the street from the school, also bears his name. Football has not forgotten Ernie either. In 1987, in spite of never having played a down in professional football, Ernie was voted into the Pro Hall of Fame. However, his fame has lived on. In 2008, Rob Brown portrayed Ernie in The Express, a feature film celebrating his career.

Summary

Ernie Davis was one of the greatest players in college football history. He set many records at Syracuse University and became the first black player ever to win the Heisman Trophy. His courage and outstanding character made him a hero and an inspiration to many people, but especially to children. His death at a very young age prevented him from playing in the NFL and took away the opportunity for him to reach even greater heights of achievement.

Bibliography

Gallagher, Robert C. Ernie Davis, the Elmira Express: The Story of a Heisman Trophy Winner. Silver Spring, Md.: Bartleby, 1999.

Pitoniak, Scott. Syracuse University Football. Charleston, S.C.: Arcadia, 2003.

Savage, Jeff. Top Ten Heisman Trophy Winners. Springfield, N.J.: Enslow, 1999.

Youmans, Gary, and Maury Youmans. ’59: The Story of the 1959 Syracuse University National Championship Football Team. Oklahoma City, Okla.: Campbell Road Press, 2003.