A Halo For A Helmet

Ernie Davis, #44 at Syracuse University, was the first African American to win the Heisman Trophy, then recruited to the Cleveland Browns, and expected to be a running back playing in the backfield with another great African American athlete, Jim Brown. He died of acute leukemia before he could play a game in the NFL. In spite of his youth and incomplete athletic history, Ernie remained an inspiration in the hearts of everyone who met him, knew him or had seen him play. It was not for his fabulous athletic performances or his exceptional abilities that he is remembered and venerated, but for his loving nature, humility, fairness, honesty and goodness that he took a place in the hearts of everyone in his generation. How did Ernie become such a man, and touch the hearts of all in so few years, making them rethink their prejudices once and for all? This edition contains many pictures of Ernie.