ERNIE DAVIS 19391963

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• ERNIE DAVIS1939-1963

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Growing Up

• Ernie Davis was born on December 14th, 1939 only
  a little more than a year before his father died
  in an unexpected accident.
• He lived with his grandparents for most of his
  childhood and grew up thinking of them as his
  parents. They had 6 children of their own so
  money was scarce, yet they had an abundance of
  affection and dedication within their family.
• When growing up, Ernie also had a stutter. Even
  at this young age, Ernie displayed the traits of
  courage and persistence as he worked at mastering
  his speech difficulty.
• It was during these years at his grandparents
  house in Uniontown, that Ernie was taught to be
  humble, generous and appreciative the foundation
  of his stellar character later in life.

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High School Years

• At the age of 12, Ernie moved to live with his
  mother and stepfather in Elmira New York.
• At first, leaving his family and friends at such
  a critical age was a difficult transition, but
  sports provided an outlet for Ernie to make
  friends and adjust to his new home.
• In high school Ernie played football, basketball
  and baseball. He became a three-sport standout in
  all venues.
• He developed leadership skills by setting an
  example with his dependability, modesty and
  determination.
• Ernie worked at his shortcomings as he had
• his stutter and was constantly improving his
  
• athletic talent.

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Marty Harrigan

• The sports teams at EFA gave athletes the feeling
  of having a second family.
• Marty Harrigan was the head football coach from
  1955-1961 along with coaching wrestling and
  baseball each for a short time.
• Mr. Harrigan made an effort an effort to be
  involved in his players lives off the field both
  academically and socially.
• He worked hard to instill commitment, teamwork
  and discipline in each of his players.
• Martys relationship with Ernie Davis was more
  than simply coach- athlete. The Harrigans thought
  of Ernie as part of their family.

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MARTY HARRIGAN

• As an alumni of Syracuse University, Marty
  Harrigan was a significant influence on Ernies
  College Choice.
• Syracuse University was close to home so Ernie
  could still visit his mother and the Harrigans
  while getting an outstanding education.

• Daviss mother said to the Star-gazette after
  Harrigans death, I think Marty was more or less
  a mentor to Ernie.

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Syracuse
Ernie had an enthusiasm that was contagious.
Syracuse Football coach Ben Schwartzwalder
remarked that Ernie, loved to practice" and
would always stay late to work more on his own
game or even help the fourth string quarterback
with his passing. He never thought of himself as
above anyone else and always displayed compassion
and a willingness to help others

• It was here that Ernie wore his famous 44 jersey
  and excelled on and off the field.

As the only black player, Ernie led the 1958
Syracuse football team to its first undefeated
season in football history.
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Racial Prejudices

• Ernie entered Syracuse at a time when racial
  prejudices were still very prevalent in society.
• There were less than 100 black students at
  Syracuse at the time of Ernies enrollment.
• In one particular game played in the south, Ernie
  carried Syracuse to an unexpected victory and was
  voted MVP of the Cotton Bowl. However, because of
  his race, the Cotton Bowl officials said he could
  not receive his award in the planned formal
  ceremony meant for white players only. The
  Syracuse Team declined the invitation to attend
  the ceremony.
• Although Ernie himself was generally well liked
  by the student body, he did face obstacles
  because a black athlete in the late fifties was a
  rarity in college athletics.

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Heisman Trophy

• The Heisman Trophy is the highest honor in
  college football. It is awarded to the most
  outstanding collegiate player and is
  representative of their accomplishments.

• Ernie Davis was the first African American to
  receive this award in the history of the trophy.
• Not only was this a major racial breakthrough,
  but it signified a high point of Ernies career.
• President Kennedy asked to meet with Ernie to
  honor him for his accomplishment.

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Battle With Cancer

• Ernie Davis signed on to play for the Cleveland
  Browns after college only to discover during
  their summer training that he had a swelling in
  his neck. After a visit to the hospital it was
  discovered that Ernie Davis had Leukemia.
• Leukemia is a cancer of the blood forming tissues
  in the body and is generally difficult to recover
  from.
• In the face of such adversity that one can hardly
  imagine, Ernie was courageous and hopeful He
  never resigned himself to a pitiful fate or gave
  up hope.
• This unfailing bravery inspired his family,
  friends, teammates and fans across the country.

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During the months his Leukemia worsened, Ernie
wrote this excerpt in the Saturday Evening Post

• Some people say I am unlucky. I dont believe
  it. And I dont want to sound as if I am
  particularly brave or unusual. Sometimes I still
  get down, and sometimes I feel sorry for myself.
  Nobody is just one thing all the time. But when I
  look back I cant call myself unlucky. My 23rd
  birthday was December 14. In these years, I have
  had more than most people get in a lifetime.

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Tragic End

• Ernie Davis died on May 18th, 1963.
• He died before he even got a chance to play one
  pro game in the NFL.
• Ernie had touched people on so many levels
  through so many parts of the country. It seemed
  our entire nation was grieving the death of this
  talented player.
• At his funeral, the mayor of Elmira said Ernie,
  gave this country an untarnished standard to
  guide its youth

Ernies mother Marie Fleming putting flowers at
her sons grave.
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The Legacy of Ernie Davis

• Today, the legacy of Ernie Davis lives on through
  the work of people nationwide.
• An Elmira school was dubbed the Ernie Davis
  Middle School in memory of his outstanding
  character and example.
• Numerous books are published documenting his
  life, accomplishments and character.
• The film, The Elmira Express is coming to
  theatres this year outlining Ernie Daviss
  exemplary life and challenge with cancer.
• In the Steuben County, the Ernie Davis
  Scholarship encourages students to find a way to
  spread the word of Ernie Davis to todays youth.

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Ernie Davis Mentoring Program

• The mission of the Ernie Davis Mentoring Program
  is to empower students to utilize the tenants of
  Ernie Daviss exemplary life academic
  dedication, sportsmanship, positive attitude,
  kindness and compassion, as a model to develop
  their own unique strengths and interests on the
  path to high school success.
• The peer mentor relationship is similar to the
  relationship between Marty Harrigan and Ernie
  Davis and will provide an additional support
  system within the confines of East High School.

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