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1265

Ernie Davis

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:8,000.00 - 10,000.00 USD
Ernie Davis

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Auction Date:2010 Dec 08 @ 19:00 (UTC-05:00 : EST/CDT)
Location:5 Rt 101A Suite 5, Amherst, New Hampshire, 03031, United States
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed
ANS - Autograph Note Signed
AQS - Autograph Quotation Signed
AMQS - Autograph Musical Quotation Signed
DS - Document Signed
FDC - First Day Cover
Inscribed - “Personalized”
ISP - Inscribed Signed Photograph
LS - Letter Signed
SP - Signed Photograph
TLS - Typed Letter Signed
Unsigned speech notes written in a 7 x 8.5 examination book from Davis’ 1961 Heisman Trophy notes. Written in blue ink on four pages (the fourth pages bearing some revised thoughts of his introduction) with additional revisions penned on the back cover. Davis writes, in part: “It is indeed a pleasure to be here this evening to receive this great award. I would like to thank each and everyone of you who have made this award possible. Throughout my four years at Syracuse I have had many exciting moments, but this has to be the biggest. I would like to thank my mother, Mrs. Radford, my coach, Mr. Schwartzwalder, Val Pinchbeck, our publicity director and most of all my teamates [sic] for without all these people I feel that I would have been unable to win this award. I would also like to thank all my friends in Elmira, and Syracuse. As A young boy I always dreamed of becoming an All American … Football Player, the dream came true last year, but I never thought that I would receive this Heisman trophy, the greatest award in college football. In the future I hope to play pro football, but as of right now I don’t know how, where or whom I will be playing for but wherever I play I will try to the best of my ability to live up to the faith that you have entrusted with in me. Again I wish to thank you for making this moment possible. A moment that I will remember & cherish for the rest of my life. Thank you.” Vertical fold, creasing, and light soiling, otherwise fine condition. Accompanied by a letter of authenticity from Davis’ nephew.

This incredibly scarce, one-of-a-kind handwritten Heisman speech—the very pages Davis held as he thanked his family and mentors for leading him down the path that led to this coveted honor—is among sports memorabilia’s most prized objects. Davis’ inspirational—and tragic—story is one of the most inspirational in football history. At a time when many universities refused to offer scholarships to African-American athletes, colleges from around the country closely watched Davis' high school career, with more than 50 institutions—including Syracuse—offering him scholarships. “Throughout my four years at Syracuse I have had many exciting moments, but this has to be the biggest,” Davis told those assembled as he read from this notebook and accepted the 1961 Heisman Trophy—the first black player accorded the honor. Among those who congratulated him was President John F. Kennedy, meeting the star athlete just prior to his accepting the Heisman. Two years later, JFK joined Congress and 10,000 mourners in eulogizing the football great, who died from leukemia before playing a single game in the NFL. A unique item from one of the rarest of all Heisman recipients.
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