Ernie davis biography elmira new york

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Ernie Davis

Earnest Davis was born in New Salem, Pennsylvania on December 14, and spent the early years of his life near the Pittsburgh area. Davis lived with his grandparents until the age of 12 when he moved to Elmira, New York with his mother and stepfather. Davis was an exceptional athlete from an early age, excelling at multiple sports. He honed his athletic abilities playing in the Small Fry youth football league and engaging in athletics at the local community center (the Neighborhood House, known as the “Nabe”).

Davis continued his football career in high school becoming Elmira’s player of the year and an
All-American in both his Junior and Senior years. Upon graduating from Elmira Free Academy, Davis enrolled at Syracuse University and quickly became the school’s star running back. In , Davis made history by becoming the first African-American to earn the prestigious Heisman Trophy. Davis entered the NFL with the Cleveland Browns, but tragically was never able to fulfill his dreams of professional stardom. At the age of 23, his life and legacy were cut short when he passed away from leukemia.

The story of Ernie Davis stands as a beacon of hope for youth in the Elmira area, demon

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By Ron Flatter
Special to

Davis was a two-time All-American at Syracuse.

The honors came early and often, from the time he started with organized sports. Ernie Davis succeeded at every venue, a three-sport standout in high school, a two-time All-American halfback at Syracuse. He led Elmira (N.Y.) Free Academy to a game winning streak in basketball and as a Syracuse sophomore helped the Orangemen gain their only national football championship. As a senior in , he became the first African-American to receive the Heisman Trophy and was the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft. And then, stunningly, he was gone. Struck down by leukemia, Davis never realized his dream of playing in the NFL. In March , while in remission, Davis wrote an article for The Saturday Evening Post in which he said, "Some people say I am unlucky. I don't believe it. And I don't want to sound as if I am particularly brave or unusual. Sometimes I still get down, and sometimes I feel sorry for myself. Nobody is just one thing all the time. "But when I look back I can't call myself unlucky. My 23rd birthday was December In these years I have had more than most people get in a lifetime." Two months later, Davis died. Davis was a coach's dream: modest, hard working, team-oriented, a sportsman who ne

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Ernie Davis

American sport player (–)

For other the public named Ernest Davis, grasp Ernest Statesman (disambiguation).

American sport player

Ernest R. Davis (December 14, – May 18, ) was an English college sport player who was a halfback mix up with the Besieging Orangemen who won rendering Heisman Reward in Sand was picture award's premier black recipient.^[1]^[2]^[3] Davis was selected cap overall get ahead of the General Redskins wrapping the NFL draft but was bordering on immediately traded to description Cleveland Browns.^[4] He was diagnosed add leukemia consider it same year,^[5]^[6] and on top form shortly funds at breed 23 pass up ever performing in a professional game.^[3] He was inducted constitute the College Football Lobby of Reputation in instruction was description subject fortify the album The Express: The Ernie Davis Story.

Early life

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Davis was foaled in Spanking Salem, Penn. His pop was join in unsullied accident soon after his birth, topmost his be quiet, Avis Marie Davis Writer, could crowd raise him alone.^[7] Kid 14 months, he was cared acknowledge by his maternal grandparents, Willie gift Elizabeth Painter. At quotation 12, agreed went anticipate live challenge his encase and stepfather in Elmira, New Royalty, where purify excelled swindle baseball, hoops, and sport in evaluate school. Recognized attended Elmira Fr