1. Ernie Davis The Elmira Express

2. Childhood Born in 1939. Grew up in New Salem, moved to Uniontown, Penn. Moved with his mother in Elmira, N.Y. Ernie was a sports star at Elmira High School. Was heavily recruited and committed to Syracuse.

3. College Career Joined a talented, but not accomplished team. Lead Syracuse to the national championship vs Texas. Won the Heisman trophy in 1961 Rewrote the record books

4. Telegram from John F. Kennedy "Seldom has an athlete been more deserving of such a tribute. Your high standards of performance on the field and off the field, reflect the finest qualities of competition, sportsmanship and citizenship. The nation has bestowed upon you its highest awards for your athletic achievements. It's a privilege for me to address you tonight as an outstanding American, and as a worthy example of our youth. I salute you." (www.ci.elmira.ny.us/history/ernie_davis.html)

5. Professional Career Was drafted first overall in the NFL draft and ended up playing for the Cleveland Browns. However, he was diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia. Ernie died on May 18, 1963.

6. Why was Ernie important? Heisman Trophy. His success. His off the field life.

7. Bibliography Bethel, K. (n.d.). Brief Biographies. Retrieved May 10, 2009, from http://biography.jrank.org/pages2399/Davis- Ernie.htmlhttp://biography.jrank.org/pages2399/Davis- Ernie.html College Football Hall of Fame. (n.d.). Retrieved April 27, 2009, from http://collegefootball.org/famersearch.php?id=60029 http://collegefootball.org/famersearch.php?id=60029 Ernie Davis a Tribute to “the Express”. (n.d.). Retrieved May 10, 2009, from http://erniedavis.syr.edu/index.aspxhttp://erniedavis.syr.edu/index.aspx Gallagher, R. C. (2008). The Express: The Ernie Davis Story. Chicago: Ballantine Books. Pages in the History of Elmira | Ernie Davis: the “Elmira Express”. (n.d.). Retrieved May 10, 2009, from http://www.cityofelmira.net/history/ernie_davis.html http://www.city Sclim, J. (2008). Ernie Davis Last Down. Retrieved May 4, 2009, from http://www.crmagazine.org/Archive/Spring2008/Pages/ErnieDavisLastDown.aspx http://www.crmagazine.org/Archive/Spring2008/Pages/ErnieDavisLastDown.aspx Fledler, G. (Director). (2008). The Express [Documentary]. United States: Universal Studios. Wyche, S. (n.d.). Ernie Davis' legacy lives on long after his death. Retrieved May 24, 2009, from http://www.nfl.com/news/story?campaign=ec0005&template=with-video-with- comments&confirm=true&id=09000d5d80b75df1 Ernie Davis. (n.d.). Retrieved May 24, 2009, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernie_Davishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernie_Davis