Takoda Kaneshiro Pono Joseph Period 6 Ernie Davis Takoda Kaneshiro Pono Joseph Period 6

Impact on Their Sport Went to Syracuse. Known as the “Elmira Express.” Rushed for 2,386 yards and broke Jim Brown’s school record.

Champions Led Syracuse to a National Championship in 1959.

Heisman Was the first African American to win the Heisman Trophy, which goes to the best player in college football.

Other Honors First Team All-American in 1960 and 1961. Sports Magazine Player of the Year in 1961. Walter Camp Trophy in 1961. Inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1979.

NFL Drafted by the Washington Redskins as the overall number-one pick. Later traded to the Cleveland Browns. Received a three-year contract worth $200,000. Diagnosed with Leukemia and passed away on May 18, 1963. Never played in a NFL game.

Ernie Davis as a Person He not only impressed others with his athletic skills, but also earned their respect with his kind and generous nature.

Promoting His Race’s Cause Won the Player of the Game Award in the Cotton Bowl during his sophomore year. Was told he had to leave the banquet right after receiving his award and that he and two other teammates could not attend the dinner. The entire Syracuse team boycotted the event.

First NFL Game In August 1962, Ernie Davis received a five minute standing ovation as he walked on to Cleveland Municipal Stadium in a Cleveland Browns uniform.

Ernie Davis’ Death Thousands turned out to mourn his death. About thirty Cleveland Browns players and staff attended his funeral service. President John F Kennedy sent a telegram.

45 The Cleveland Browns retired his number 45 even though he never played in a single NFL game.

“The way he carried himself, the way he did not drown in his own tears, the way he did not hang on his sickness, the way he functioned as a human being under all those conditions was tremendous courage.” -Jim Brown