Ernie Davis

A while ago in this space, Ernie Davis was mentioned as one of the elite running backs to come out of Syracuse - following in the footsteps of his idol Jim Bown, who helped recruit Davis to Syracuse.  I mention Ernie again because he was the first African-American to win the Heisman Trophy, which was presented to him in 1961.  Later that year he was drafted first in the NFL draft.  Unfortunately, Davis was diagnosed of leukemia in May 1962, and died eleven months later before playing a down in the NFL.