Name: Ernie Davis
Position: Halfback
College: Syracuse Orangemen
Class: Senior
Winning Year: 1961 – 27th Award
Official Heisman Profile: Click Here
Interesting Notes: Davis will forever be remembered as the first African-American to win the coveted Heisman Trophy…led the Orangemen in rushing for three seasons…broke Jim Brown’s career records for rushing yards, total yards, scoring, and touchdowns…was signed by the Cleveland Browns for a lucrative $80,000…was diagnosed with leukemia and succumbed to the illness before ever taking the field as a professional…was elected to the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame in 1979.
Featured Card: 1962 Topps #36. With his impressive rushing abilities, Davis had garnered enough attention in his college career to be included in the 1962 Topps set, in what would have been his rookie season. Despite never taking the field as a professional, this card continues to carry a healthy price tag as collectors obviously still recognize the immense talent Davis possessed. A recent movie about his life may also have helped to revitalize interest in the tragic story of Davis’ shortened life. Current eBay prices for this card fall in right around $100.
NOTE: You can find all of my Heisman Highlight Features by clicking the post banner above.
