Ernie Davis: First black Heisman winner

One of the astir peculiar examples of American sports is the communicative of Ernie Davis, the archetypal African American to triumph the prestigious Heisman Award successful 1961. This grant recognizes the champion subordinate of the play successful American assemblage shot and has been the pinnacle of each student-athlete's vocation ever since.

Davis was highly talented, nicknamed the "Elmira Express" due to the fact that of the velocity and powerfulness with which helium broke done defenses. His story, however, was not lone astir sporting successes. 

He was expected to play successful the NFL alongside the legendary Jim Brown, but unwellness prevented him from ever playing professionally.

Childhood years and growth

He was calved connected December 14, 1939 successful New Salem, and spent his archetypal years without his father, who died successful an accident. He was raised by his grandparents successful Uniontown, a mining town, wherever helium learned subject and faith. 

"My begetter was strict and military-like. We each ate unneurotic and talked astir sports and satellite events," his uncle recalled. As a child, Ernie showed bonzer accomplishment successful sports, from hoops to baseball, but shot became his passion.

Moving to Elmira, New York, helium became a section sensation. Al Mallette, a erstwhile exertion and coach, remembers Ernie's unthinkable power implicit opponents; helium could assistance them into the aerial without getting hurt. He was a two-time All-American successful hoops and football, and nether his enactment the squad achieved a bid of awesome victories, and American shot remained his top love.

He took the No. 44 jersey astatine Syracuse and instantly attracted attraction with his speed, spot and technique. As a inferior successful 1959, helium led the squad to the nationalist title, and successful 1961, helium won the Heisman Trophy arsenic the archetypal African-American. He was a awesome of equality successful America, portion achromatic athletes continued to look racism.

Comeback and tragedy

The 1962 NFL draught was historic; the Cleveland Browns took him instantly and planned to brace him with Jim Brown. The joyousness was short-lived, arsenic helium was diagnosed with acute monocytic leukemia successful July 1962. Davis continued to manager and motivate his teammates, but helium ne'er had a nonrecreational career. He died connected May 18, 1963, astatine the property of 23, and his ceremonial was a nationalist event. The full metropolis of Elmira and astir the full Cleveland Browns squad came to wage their respects. His bequest lives connected successful books, the movie "The Express," and statues that commemorate him arsenic a pioneer who changed American sports and society.