Filed under: College Football, First look, Hall of Fame, NFL, Panini | Tags: Cleveland Browns, College Football, College football hall of fame, Elmira Express, Ernie Davis, Ernie Davis memorabilia, football, football cards, Jim Brown, NCAA Football, NFL, Panini America, Panini Certified, Syracuse, Syracuse football, Syracuse Orange, Syracuse Orangemen, Syracuse University, The Express, Washington Redskins
By Chris Olds | Editor
Tucked among the behind-the-scenes images that Panini America released on Friday documenting its quality control process was a gem probably missed by many.
What is it?
The first memorabilia card of former Syracuse star and Cleveland Browns legend Ernie Davis.
Davis was the first black player to win the Heisman Trophy and appeared to be set for a fine pro career — he was the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft (also a social first) in 1962 — before he was diagnosed with leukemia and died at age 23 on May 18, 1963. His only appearance on a professional field came when he was introduced to the crowd during a preseason game at Cleveland Stadium.
Davis’ story was the subject of a recent major motion picture, The Express, as well, but despite all of that, he still hasn’t yet had an extensive number of football cards — and not a single memorabilia card.
All that changes when 2010 Certified arrives in hobby shops on Nov. 17.
The Beckett Blog 