Ernie Davis

American football player, Heisman Trophy winner

Ernie Davis - American football player, Heisman Trophy winner
Born

December 14th, 1939
85 years ago

Died

May 18th, 1963
62 years ago — 23 years old

Category

Athletes & Sports Figures

Country

United States

Links & References

Played college football at Syracuse University, leading the team to a national championship in 1959. Became the first African American to win the Heisman Trophy in 1961. Selected first overall in the 1962 NFL Draft by the Washington Redskins but was traded to the Cleveland Browns. Suffered from leukemia, which shortened professional career.

Won the Heisman Trophy in 1961

Led Syracuse University to a national championship in 1959

First African American to win the Heisman Trophy

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