 |
|
|
| |
|
 Pioneer Ernie Davis Finally Remembered
By Leland Stein, III - October 18, 2008
When the late-great Ernest R. Davis, commonly known as Ernie, became the first African American to win college football's most prized award, the Heisman Trophy in 1961, I was only 6-years-old.
As I got involved in football as a young teen, I would hear my father toss around Davis' name, especially whenever the football conversation lingered on Jim Brown, who many still consider the best NFL running back ever.
I guess because Brown, Class of 1957, and Davis both played at Syracuse University, and if not for ill-timed fate, they would have been paired in the same backfield with the Cleveland Browns.
That was a union that my Dad and his friends use to salivate over. They would say, "Davis and Brown, wow, what a combination. That would have been the greatest backfield in NFL history. Both are over 215 pounds and each can run like the wind. Son, you should have seen Davis carry the football!"
Davis is an African-American pioneer; unfortunately, his glowing star has been loss on too many today.
That's why I was very excited when news came out that his story has finally been documented in an Universal Pictures movie biography, "The Express," based on the non-fiction book "Ernie Davis: The Elmira Express," by Robert C. Gallagher. The film is now showing in theaters.
The movie covers how his teammates at practice for Coaches All-Star Game in 1962, first noticed Davis' lethargic behavior. All said he appeared tired and sluggish.
Davis thought it was the extreme heat on the field, but after the College All-Stars match-up with the Chicago Bears he continued to complain of fatigue and mentioned to friends that his gums had started bleeding and he felt swelling in his neck.
Davis was admitted to the hospital thinking he only had the mumps or mononucleosis, but the tests came back exclaiming that he had acute monocytic leukemia - a serious blood disorder. Doctors told him he had less than a year to live.
Davis undertook a course of chemotherapy treatment. After a couple months in and out of hospitals, his leukemia supposedly went into remission.
A warrior to the end, people around him said he always remained hopeful that he could beat the disease and he refused enter into a personal pity party.
According to ESPN Classic's Bob Carter, Davis penned an article in which he said, "Some people say that 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. But when I look back I can't call myself unlucky. In these years I have had more than most people get in a lifetime."
Davis, the first African-American Heisman Trophy winner, eventually succumbed to the debilitating disease at the much too young age of 23.
Although too many today do not know his name, 10,000 people filed past his coffin in one day to mourn his passing. President John F. Kennedy sent a telegram. The Browns retired Davis's number 45, even though he had never played an NFL game.
According to ESPN.com, Jim Brown said of his friend: "The way he carried himself, the way he did not drown in his own tears, the way that he did not hang on his sickness, the way that he functioned as a human being under all of those conditions was tremendous courage."
And why would anyone expect Davis to respond any other way?
He followed Brown, who all now acknowledged that he was cheated out of the Heisman in 1957, because white folk was just not ready to give it to a Black man.
With Brown as his spiritual guide, he negotiated the segregated times of his moments on the national college football stage.
The two-time All-American, led his team to an undefeated (11-0) national title in the Cotton Bowl against the University of Texas, but during the game tensions flared when Texas players unleashed racial slurs at the black players, and a bench-clearing brawl broke out just before the end of the first half.
No matter, Davis was the player of the game. However, at the post-game banquet, he was informed that he would have to leave the banquet after receiving his award and that he and his two black teammates would not be allowed attend the dinner, the entire Syracuse team boycotted the event.
Davis is a real American pioneer, who endured the trials of his day with class and grace, but left us all too soon.
About The Author - Leland Stein, III All Articles By This Author
©Copyright 2006 - 2010 -- Leland Stein is a nationally syndicated columnist and can be heard on 107.5 every Sunday from 11 p.m. to Midnight in Detroit. He can be reached at lelstein3@aol.com
Articles may not be reproduced, rewritten, or retransmitted without the express written consent of Leland Stein, III.
|
|
Newsletters
Enter your e-mail address to receive the most recent Mybrotha.COM Newsletter
What's Popular On Facebook
|
|
|
Print
E-mail
Tweet
