Remembering Ernie

Today marks the 44th anniversary of the death of legendary Syracuse running back Ernie Davis. Davis passed away from leukemia on May 18, 1963 at the age of 23.

Davis, who is the only SU football student-athlete to win the Heisman trophy, led the Orange to the 1959 National Championship, scoring two touchdowns in the 1959 Cotton Bowl victory against Texas. He broke Jim Brown’s SU career rushing record and closed his career by leading the Orange to a Liberty Bowl win against Miami. He is currently ninth on Syracuse’s career rushing yards record list with 2,386 yards.

An All-America selection his junior and senior years, Davis averaged 7.8 yards per carry in 1960, which still stands as an SU record. He rushed for 877 yards and 12 touchdowns his senior season en route to becoming the first African-American to win the Heisman Trophy. He edged out Ohio State’s Bill Ferguson in what was the closest vote in Heisman history (824 points to 771).

Davis accumulated 2,386 yards during his three-year career, surpassing Jim Brown as the SU all-time leading rusher. The Washington Redskins drafted Davis first overall in the 1962 NFL Draft. He was traded to the Cleveland Browns where he was supposed to team up with Brown. However, he died of leukemia before ever suiting up in the NFL.

The legendary number 44, worn by other great Orange running backs such as Jim Brown and Floyd Little, was retired by Syracuse on November 12, 2005. The number will hang from the rafters forever to remember the Orange greats that proudly carried that torch.

Davis' story will depicted on the big screen as Universal Studios is currently filming The Express. The movie, which details Davis' life, is based on the book “Ernie Davis: The Elmira Express” by Robert Gallagher.

The Express Photo Gallery

Syracuse University Athletics

Related News

Related Videos