Displayed is a 1961 Ernie Davis signed Heisman Trophy Award program from Dec. 6, 1961, at the Downtown Athletic Club of New York City. An interesting feature of the program is that in 1961, the Heisman voting was announced before the night of the award, so the program features the blue and orange Syracuse University seal on the cover and extensive information about Davis, who became the first African American to win the Heisman Memorial Trophy Award. Ernie, at 6'2", 212 lbs., played left halfback for the Syracuse Orangemen, and in 1961 ranked in the country's top 10 in both touchdowns (15) and points (94), gaining 823 yards on 150 carries for a 5.5-yard average. The amazing Davis broke the career records of a previous #44 Syracuse Orangeman star back, Jim Brown, in rushing (2,386), total yards gained in all ways (3,414), scoring (220 points), and touchdowns (35). Davis extended some of his career statistics in a 15-14 Orange win over Florida ten days after the Heisman presentation, but it sadly was the last competitive football game he would ever play. Davis was selected as the first overall pick in the '61 NFL draft but was almost at once traded to the Cleveland Browns. Soon, it was discovered that Davis had leukemia, and he never got to play in a game for Cleveland, and he passed away in May 1963.

The offered program measures 5.5x8.5", and it contains 12 pages, including covers. The third page includes a five-paragraph Ernie Davis biography and page four contains a nearly full-page black & white photo of Davis. The program's page 10 has a detailed record of the '61 Heisman voting. A sample of some of the distinguished guests mentioned in the program: Heisman winners Jay Berwanger, Glenn Davis, Pete Dawkins, Paul Hornung, Johnny Lattner, Johnny Lujack, Leon Hart, Vic Janowicz; plus, Howard Cosell, Pete Roselle, Red Smith, Ed Sullivan, Ken Strong, and New York City Mayor Robert Wagner. The offering comes with a colorful blue and orange string bookmark. The program is in EXCELLENT condition. Davis signed the program over his black & white photo in lighted faded blue ink. The signature is big and bold, still easily legible. The program comes with a PSA/DNA LOA for the Davis signature.