This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/1/2010
They called him "The Elmira Express." Ernest R. Davis became the first African-American player to win the Heisman trophy. Nothing Ernie Davis did on or off the field at Syracuse University ever detracted from the high school nickname he earned at Elmira Free Academy. Davis, a superbly-conditioned 6-foot-2 inch, 205-pound halfback, played a key role in Syracuse's drive to its only national football championship -- and he was only a sophomore at the time. During his three year college career he rewrote the SU record books, and even supplanted the great Jim Brown as the greatest player ever to wear no. 44 for the school. A two-time All-America selection, Davis was chosen as the 1961 Heisman Trophy winner, becoming the first black athlete to capture the coveted award. Hoping to team the talented Davis with his SU backfield predecessor and NFL rushing king Jim Brown, Cleveland Browns owner Art Modell traded star receiver Bobby Mitchell to the Washington Redskins in return for the NFL draft rights to Davis. Modell selected Davis as the first overall selection in the annual draft. But before the former Orange stars could ever suit up together for the Browns, Davis contracted leukemia and died on May 18, 1963. He was 23.
This 1955 high school yearbook from New York state's Elmira Free Academy, includes none other than collegiate football legend Ernie Davis in his freshman year. The budding star is featured in both football and basketball photos. Davis’ exceedingly rare inscription appears next to his large basketball image in this yearbook. Remarkably, Davis appears as a member of the varsity team as a freshman. The team bio reads in part, “Playing the pivot position was Ernie Davis, the freshman phenomenon. Only the second freshman ever to make the varsity, Ernie scored an even 200 points, and was a ‘top flight’ rebounder.” Davis’ non-personalized inscription reads "Best of luck, Ernie" in blue felt-tip ink (9/10). Other notations and signatures from many other students appear throughout the book, but it is the varsity basketball page, which features the rare Davis notation that makes this one of the most appealing artifacts ever offered of the eventual Heisman Trophy winner. Pre-certified by PSA/DNA.