On This Day in Sports: First African American Wins the Heisman Trophy

1961 was a special college football season for a man from the University of Syracuse. Running back Ernie Davis was named the Heisman Trophy winner, the first African American to win the award.

Davis had himself a tremendous season that year. He carried the ball 150 times, totaled 823 yards, and 12 touchdowns in 11 games. The team went 8-3 that season finishing 16th in the nation.

The Heisman voting that year was as followed:

1. Ernie Davis-Syracuse (179 1st place votes)
2. Bob Ferguson-Ohio State (122 1st place votes)
3. Jimmy Saxton-Texas (81 1st place votes)
4. Sandy Stephens-Minnesota (104 1st place votes)
5. Pat Trammell-Alabama (76 1st place votes)

This was such a big deal that in 2008 Hollywood made a very inspirational movie about Ernie Davis' life and the adversity's he faced called The Express.

For all my sports posts and to hear my inner sports thoughts, make sure to keep up with me on Twitter and Facebook.