What Is Ernie Davis Tragic Hero

Ernie Davis: A Tragic Hero

Davis was one of the all-time great running backs in the history of American football, his is a story cut short due to leukaemia which fatally ended his heroic life in May of 1963 aged 23. This however did not stop Ernie from becoming a legend both on and off the field and an icon for all African American’s as they were racially abused and segregated at the time. Ernie made his name wearing the famous number 44 for the Syracuse orange, the football team of the University of Syracuse in New York between the years 1958 to 1961. he set record after record to despite being discriminated against virtually every day and what he is most remembered for, being the first African American to win the Heisman trophy which led

This would become a blessing for Ernie to move here as he attended Elmira free academy and excelled in almost every sport including baseball football and basketball he was labelled a child prodigy by many a spectator who witnessed Ernie playing any sport. during his years in grade school Ernie won 2 all-American honours a great achievement for boy with such natural talent when he finished in Elmira free academy Ernie had the choice to play all three sports in college as he had offers from university’s across the country to play basketball, baseball and American football. Ernie eventually chose American football and was attracted to the University of Syracuse by one of his heroes Jim brown, a hall of fame running back who played the Syracuse orange the year

Ernie joined the child-hood hero Jim Brown who was already playing for along with former classmate john brown. Davis signed a $200,000 per year three year deal. The dream partnership backfield partnership of Ernie Davis and Jim Brown was to going to send shivers down the back of opposing teams in the NFL for the 1963 season. However this was not be the case due to such tragic