Ernie Davis
Photo: Unknown, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Running back and fullback and linebacker, Syracuse, 1959–⁠61

Ernie Davis

Born
Dec 14, 1939, in New Salem-Buffington, Pennsylvania
Died
May 18, 1963, in Cleveland, Ohio

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Ernie Davis played running back and fullback and linebacker at Syracuse (1959–⁠61). He won the 1961 Heisman Trophy. He was a consensus All‑American in 1960 and 1961. The Washington Redskins took Davis first overall in the 1962 NFL Draft. The Buffalo Bills also took him in the first round, No. 4 overall in the 1962 AFL Draft. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1979.

At a glance

Best season
1961
Heisman Trophy, Chic Harley Award and 1 more
Drafted
No. 1
Overall, 1962 NFL Draft (Washington Redskins)

Honors

Team titles: National champions, 1959

All-America: consensus 1960 and 1961; UPI second team 1959

Players of the year, conference and regional honors: Wikipedia’s lists (CC BY-SA), each linked from its honor.

The teams in those years

Our player records start in 2004; before that they hold the honors, the Heisman vote and the draft (from 1936), with college years from the player’s Wikipedia article where it gives them.

Books and statues

In books

In bronze

Books: Open Library (CC0); most-reissued first, each linked to its page there. Statues: Wikidata (CC0) and Wikimedia Commons; links only.

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