This day in history! On Dec. 6, 1961, Ernie Davis became the first African American to win the Heisman Trophy as college football’s most outstanding player. He attended Elmira Free Academy (now named Ernie Davis Academy) in Elmira, NY where he earned two All-American honors.
At the end of his senior season, he was recruited by numerous colleges, and chose to attend Syracuse University.
Ernie overcame tremendous adversity at a time when the United States was in the midst of the Civil Rights Movement. In 1962, Ernie was the first overall NFL draft pick, chosen by the Washington Redskins, but then almost immediately traded to the Cleveland Browns.
Tragically, he was diagnosed with Leukemia and died at the age of 23, never having played in a professional game.
Today, Davis’ legacy lives on within our Elmira schools.
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