Ernie Davis

Davis was diagnosed with Leukemia in the summer of 1962 while he was preparing for College All-Star Game against the Green Bay Packers in Chicago. He started receiving medical treatment thereafter.

Ernie Davis died at the age of 23 on May 18th, 1963 due to incurable Leukemia at Cleveland Lakeside Hospital.

Ernie was born on December 14th, 1939 as Ernest R. Davis in New Salem, Pennsylvania. His father passed away in an auto accident before his birth and his mother, Avis Marie Davis Fleming sent him to live with his maternal grandparents as she was in search of a job.

He grew up in Uniontown Pennsylvania and moved to Elmira, New York at the age of 12 to live with his mother and step-father. He excelled as an athlete and in baseball, basketball, and football during his grade school.

Ernie played tackle on Small Fry football for the Superior Buick team and joined the junior varsity football team at Elmira Free Academy in New York. He completed his high school at Elmira Free Academy and joined college in Syracuse University.

Ernie was selected in the junior varsity football team In Elmira Free Academy and broke his wrist in the first game. He went on to play basketball during his injury and scored 22 points in his first game.

During his sophomore year, he played defensive end in the football team in 1955 and led his team to win conference championship. He was moved as halfback by his coach in 1956 and his team, Blue Devils won another league title.

Ernie won all-conference for the third consecutive year in 1957 and played thirteen games at the halfback position. He made a school-record of 138 career points on 21 touchdowns and 12 place kicks at that time.

He also excelled at basketball during the same timeframe and led his team with 52 consecutive wins during his junior and senior school along with conference record of 1,065 points. He had an average of 18.4 points per game.

Ernie was approached by more than thirty colleges and he finally went for Syracuse University where his team went undefeated in 1958. He led Syracuse Orangemen to a record of 11-0 in 1959 opposite Texas Longhorns.

Ernie Davis was selected in the junior varsity football team at Elmira Free Academy where he had won three consecutive all-conference honors in the year 1957. He made a school-record of 138 career points during his high school.

Davis made a record of 7.8 yards per carry in Syracuse University in 1960. He was awarded with a couple of all-Americans and a Heisman Trophy for his performance.