GETTING TO KNOW BLACK HISTORY: ERNIE DAVIS

Ernie Davis aka The Elmira Express was a 2 time All American and the first Black Heisman Trophy winner. He played football at Syracuse University, where he led the Orangemen to a National Championship in 1959. He was the first round draft pick in the 1962 draft, going to the Redskins, but was almost immediately traded to the Cleveland Browns. Tragically, he was never able to play a professional game because he was diagnosed with Luekemia, and died at the young age of 23, less than a year after being drafted. Although he never played a game with them, the Browns retired his #45 jersey. I just watched The Express, which is the story of his life, and I really recommend you rent it to. It is an inspirational yet tragic story about Ernie Davis.