Ernie Davis was born on December 14, 1939 in New Salem, Pennsylvania. He soon moved to Uniontown, PA where he lived with his grandparents. It was in Uniontown, the heart of Pennsylvania’s coal belt, that Ernie discovered his love for sports. Upon relocating to Elmira, New York at age 12 to live with his mother and step-father, Ernie continued to excel in every sport he played. He was chosen as Small Fry All-Star in both 1952 and 1953. He went on to become Elmira's favorite son both as an outstanding athlete and as a respected and well-loved citizen.
Ernie’s love for baseball, basketball, and especially football, continued to blossom during his high school years at Elmira Free Academy.
It was here that Ernie was selected as Elmira Player of the Year and High School All-American in both his junior and senior years. Ernie also excelled in the classroom. His all around talent was closely watched by colleges and universities across the country. Scholarship offers came from over 50 schools, which considering the time, is a remarkable accomplishment. First, recruiting was not nearly as sophisticated as it is today and second, a majority of schools, especially in the south, did not recruit black players.
While Ernie had his choice of Notre Dame, University of Michigan and UCLA, it was Syracuse University that ultimately became his Alma Mater. Just 90 miles from Elmira, Syracuse University, was already home to the legendary running back, Jim Brown. It was Jim, one of the team’s first African American players, who is said to have personally convinced Ernie to make the decision to join the Syracuse Orangemen.
Ernie’s college career was the most successful years for Syracuse University’s football team. His freshman year Ernie’s team went undefeated. During this time players frequently switched between offense and defense. Ernie was not only a powerhouse runner, but also could block, catch passes, and even kick the team’s extra points.
Ernie’s sophomore year he was eligible to join the varsity squad and led the team to a national championship, but not without struggle. It was at the Cotton Bowl on New Years Day of 1960 that tensions flared after Syracuse players accused University of Texas players of directing racial slurs at one of their black players, resulting in a brawl between the teams. After Syracuse won the game, 23-14, Ernie was named Player of the Game, however was only invited to the banquet to receive his award but had to leave immediately after as he and his two black teammates were not invited to the dinner. The entire Syracuse team boycotted the banquet. 
Nothing held Ernie back. During his junior year, Ernie was the third leading rusher in the nation with 877 yards. He rushed for over 100 yards in six of nine games and was named All-American. Ernie's senior year included another notable performance and additional awards. He led the Orangemen in rushing for the third consecutive year, gaining over 100 yards three times and over 90 yards on three other occasions. He led the team in scoring with 15 touchdowns throughout the season. Ernie also continued to excel in basketball throughout his college career, being noted by Sports Illustrated, as one of seven top all-around athletes and with regards to football “unquestionably the top college runner in the nation.”
It was in 1961 that Ernie was chosen as the winner of the Heisman Trophy, a remarkable accomplishment. Winning the Heisman Trophy is significant regardless of the year or player. However, in 1961, Ernie Davis' receipt of the esteemed award was historical and unprecedented. He was the first black athlete to receive this prestigious honor. While in New York City to receive the coveted trophy, Ernie had the chance of a lifetime to meet President Kennedy. While in New York, Kennedy learned that Ernie was in town receiving the award and had requested to meet with him. On Satruday, February 3, 1962, Elmira celebrated Ernie’s accomplishments as an outstanding citizen in every right. President Kennedy sent the following telegram:
"Seldom has an athlete been more deserving of such a tribute. Your high standards of performance on the field and off the field, reflect the finest qualities of competition, sportsmanship and citizenship. The nation has bestowed upon you its highest awards for your athletic achievements. It's a privilege for me to address you tonight as an outstanding American, and as a worthy example of our youth. I salute you."
Ernie became the first African-American selected number one overall in a National Football League draft in 1962. First picked up by the Washington Redskins, Ernie was immediately traded to the Cleveland Browns with a three-year, no cut, no trade, $65,000 contract with a $15,000 signing bonus; a new record for a rookie. Although this was less money than the American Football League team, the Buffalo Bills offered, Ernie wanted to be a part of the more established NFL. Ernie’s close friend, Jim Brown, was already playing for the Browns at the time.
It was that summer that Ernie played in the Coaches All-Star Game in late June and those who knew Ernie began to see a change in him. In late July Davis was diagnosed with acute monocytic leukemia. After multiple tests the results were clear, Ernie had less than a year to live. By October, Ernie’s leukemia went into remission and although Ernie’s doctor gave him permission to play, the Browns’ head coach, Paul Brown, refused to let him suit up at the advice of the team doctor. Ernie never complained.
During his remission, Ernie said he felt fine. He even played some exhibition games with some of his fellow Browns’ players. In March 1963, Ernie wrote an article for the Saturday Evening Post, 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. Nobody is just one thing all the time. But when I look back I can't call myself unlucky. My 23rd birthday was December 14. In these years I have had more than most people get in a lifetime."
It wasn’t soon after that the leukemia reoccurred. Ernie died on May 18, 1963 and was mourned by the nation. More than 10,000 people passed through the Neighborhood House on May 21 where Ernie lay in state. Ernie is buried at Woodlawn Cemetery in his hometown of Elmira.
“It will be a long time before we see a boy like Ernie Davis again. He was a great athlete, but, more important, he was a great person. He is the finest boy I have ever met in my life." –Arthur Modell, Owner, Cleveland Browns
As I anxiously await my chance to see Ernie Davis come to life on the big screen tonight, I can't help but wonder why it is that I didn't know more about him before the talk of this movie. Like Ernie, I grew up in Elmira and graduated from Elmira Free Academy. I even went to Ernie Davis Junior High School (now Ernie Davis Middle School and was actually Elmira Free Academy until the early 60’s when the current Elmira Free Academy was built). You would think that my classmates and I would have all been well educated on the life of Ernie Davis and unfortunately, this just wasn’t the case. I knew the very basics, but was shocked after doing my own research that Ernie Davis was truly an American hero. For this reason, I can’t help but agree with many individuals who have acknowledged Ernie as “one of America's forgotten heroes."
