Ernie davis. Ernie Davis' legacy lives on long after his death 2020-01-28

Ernie Davis becomes the first African

Davis went to in when he was dying, three months after being diagnosed and through chemical treatments experienced a four to five month remission. Davis spent his early years playing sports with his older uncles. He died May 18, 1963. Told he had some type of blood disorder, Davis flew back to Cleveland and was admitted to Marymount Hospital, where Modell insisted the lab work be redone. The disease was incurable and Davis died at age 23 at Cleveland on May 18, 1963. His only appearance at came at a on August 18, in which he ran onto the field as a spotlight followed him. Before a preseason game with the , Davis was introduced with the team.

How 'The Express' fumbled real Ernie Davis story

He had to learn a lot on just functioning and being able to perform at his highest level. Yates, who lives in Texas, said Quaid took too many artistic liberties with the former coach, to whom the team remains loyal. The 1960 Syracuse Orangemen finished with a record of 7—2 and did not play in a post-season. His career 2,386 rushing yards and 220 points broke Brown's school records. Newspaper accounts mention no racial incidents, though such issues rarely made newsprint in that era. Ernie, from afar, made sure the date was a success -- knowing his roommate didn't have much choice on where to go.

Ernie Davis Biography

I decided I would face up to whatever I had and try to beat it. Brown refused to play Davis. Selected by the , he was traded to the. He went to the club, bought a drink for Sylvia and handed the bartender the five. At fourteen months, he was cared for by his maternal grandparents, Willie and Elizabeth Davis, in. He knew he was dying but he never lost his poise. Ernie Davis, the movie, has some detractors.

Ernie Davis becomes the first African

Davis also continued to excel on the basketball court. A different account of the banquet is given by. Your high standards of performance on the field and off the field, reflect the finest qualities of competition, sportsmanship and citizenship. It would be a challenge, but Ben was a good coach, and they really wanted him. Many older students were already there, including members of the track and football teams. Nobody is just one thing all the time.

From the woman who loved him: The real greatness of Ernie Davis transcended football

Sports Illustrated, September 4, 1989, p. His glands swelled, and doctors suspected mumps. They told Davis he had a blood disorder, but didn't tell him it was leukemia until October, after he had been in and out of the hospital. Although Texas managed to get on the board in the second half, Syracuse won the game 23-14. I also told him that he could be a part of bringing justice and dignity, in a much quieter way, just because of how he was and I was. They eventually became a couple, a time still precious to Helen, almost 50 years later.

Ernie Davis' legacy lives on long after his death

Initial tests revealed leukemia in its most serious form. A lot of people didn't know what he had or knew that he was really very sick. He just simply didn't know better, the same way someone who never has had three square meals doesn't realize he's not getting what most would consider a normal day's nourishment. Davis was a coach's dream: modest, hard working, team-oriented, a sportsman who never put down opponents or teammates. My 23rd birthday was December 14. He attended , where he earned two honors.

How 'The Express' fumbled real Ernie Davis story

One day I got hold of myself. Against West Virginia, he ran for 141 yards on nine carries, setting a school record for per-carry average, 15. On July 28, 1962, Davis felt swelling in his neck and was admitted to Evanston Hospital. President had followed Davis' career and requested to meet him while he was in New York to receive the trophy. You're the greatest cat, but you're inferior. There were rumors, but still, people cheered and screamed. He could also return kicks, block, catch passes, and even kick the team's extra points.

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Ernie, she said, exuded class despite going to college in what really was a segregated city. Over his college career, Davis broke numerous records previously set by Brown, including 2,386 yards rushing, 6. But here was the humble guy, because he didn't run around campus telling everybody that he'd met President Kennedy. And I don't want to sound as if I am particularly brave or unusual. College Career More than thirty colleges and universities, including football superpowers the University of Michigan and Notre Dame, actively sought to add Davis to their football programs.

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We never had a kid so thoughtful and polite. He even participated in some exhibition basketball games with some Browns' players. The honors came early and often, from the time he started with organized sports. Nearly thirty Browns players and staff flew in to Elmira for the funeral service. He would beat this, he thought, just like everything else that had come in his way throughout his young life. Or when he disarmed a volatile situation at a Virginia diner that almost led to violence when he, John Brown and other friends were denied service on a trip to visit friends. The growing media attention never changed him.