December 14, 1939 Ernest Davis, the first African American to win the Heisman Trophy, was born in New Salem, Pennsylvania, but raised in Elmira, New York. Davis attended Syracuse University where he was a running back from 1959 to 1961, winning first team All-American honors in 1960 and 1961 and earning the nickname “the Elmira […]
Tag Archives | Heisman Trophy
November 28th in African American History – Ernest Davis
November 28, 1961 Ernest Davis became the first African American to be awarded the Heisman Trophy as college football’s top player of the year. Davis was born December 14, 1939 in New Salem, Pennsylvania, but raised in Elmira, New York. He attended Syracuse University where he was a running back from 1959 to 1961, winning […]
October 12th in African American History – Charlie Ward
October 12, 1970 Charlie Ward, 1993 Heisman Trophy winner, was born in Thomasville, Georgia. Ward played college football and basketball for four years at Florida State University. As a basketball player, he still holds the FSU record for career steals. As a football player, he won the Heisman Trophy, Maxwell Award, and Davey O’Brien Award […]
July 22nd in African American History – Timothy Donell Brown
July 22, 1966 Timothy Donell Brown, former professional football player, was born in Dallas, Texas. Brown played college football at Notre Dame from 1984 to 1987 and was an All-American twice. In 1987, he won the Heisman Trophy as the most outstanding player in college football, becoming the first wide receiver to win the award.
July 16th in African American History – Barry David Sanders
July 16, 1968 Barry David Sanders, hall of fame football player, was born in Wichita, Kansas. Sanders played college football at Oklahoma State University from 1986 to 1988. In 1988, in what many consider the greatest season in college football history, Sanders led the nation by averaging 7.6 yards per carry and over 200 yards […]
March 26th in African American History – Marcus LeMarr Allen
March 26, 1960 Marcus LeMarr Allen, hall of fame football player, was born in San Diego, California. Allen played college football at the University of Southern California from 1978 to 1981. In 1981, he became the first player in NCAA history to rush for over 2,000 yards in one season. That same year, he won […]
October 20th in African American History – The Johnny Bright Incident
October 20, 1951 The Johnny Bright Incident occurred when African American football player, Johnny Bright, was violently assaulted by white football player, Wilbanks Smith, during a college football game between Drake University and Oklahoma State University. In 1951, Bright was a pre-season Heisman Trophy candidate and led the nation in total offense. The game marked […]