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A Halo For A Helmet: The Whole Story Of Ernie Davis

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This is a story that has been waiting to be told for 40+ years. It is both historically accurate and emotionally authentic. It touches the soul of a young man who, with a strong body and a gentle heart, changed the world around him. I know, because I went to highschool (EFA) and college (Syracuse University) with him. Like all those he came in contact with, and as a young white woman in the 50's, I was so proud to call him friend.
"Mugsie"
A Halo for a Helmet: The Whole Story of Ernie Davis

The legend of Ernie Davis came to life through the recent movie, The Express. Writer K. Coralee Burch sifts through the artistic license of the film to deliver an excellent biography of "The Elmira Express," that relies on more than 35 years of research, interviews and delving into a wealth of historical archives.

And for Burch, her foundation for the book starts at Elmira Free Academy, where she was in the class of 1960 and Davis was two years ahead of her, but had already forged a path of athletic excellence and a reputation for being an outstanding role model. As a sophomore, Burch was a cheerleader and saw the generosity of Davis; while both were waiting for practice to start - Davis was a star basketball player - he would teach her how to shoot a basketball.

"There was no one in that school or that city who did not believe that Ernie was their special friend just like I had," Burch writes.

The gridiron exploits of Davis at Syracuse University are legendary and it culminated with being awarded the 1961 Heisman Trophy, the first African-American to achieve that lofty honor. Drafted by the Washington Redskins, but traded to the Cleveland Browns, Davis never played a down in pro football, being diagnosed with leukemia in 1962 and losing his battle to that form of cancer in May 1963 at the age of 24.

"I was at Syracuse University the year Ernie died," writes Burch. "He was on campus just weeks before his death and still took the time to single people out and make them feel special."

Burch goes the extra yards and strikes pay dirt by meticulously telling the rest of the story of a remarkable life.

Just finished a Halo for a Helmet and it was great to say the least. The 35 year effort Coralee put in on the book certainly paid off. It's too bad that the producers of the movie "The Elmira Express" took so many liberties with the truth. It was an insult to this great man and his achievements on and off the field. Sometimes just the truth is more exciting and interesting than the made up drama that so many movies portray.

I did not know Ernie personally, however, I do remember him in the halls of EFA and especially remember the pep rally in the cafeteria with the cheerleaders standing on the tables leading the rally. Those were heady times and some of the best of my life. I went to several of the football games and remember some of the fantastic runs that he made.

Thanks to Coralee for giving us a great story and the "true" life story of a great man.

I've just finished reading A Halo for a Helmet and even though I knew the outcome, I cried. This is a testament to the wonderful story-telling ability of K. Coralee Burch.

Once you start reading, it's hard to put the book down.

She makes the characters come alive and paints a true picture of the times during which Ernie Davis lived and how he handled the prejudice he encountered. As someone who also grew up during that time period, it all rang true to me. It would have been an honor to have known him.

This is a great book for anyone interested in the history of college football, the struggle of African American athletes, and maybe most important, the story of a great man who battled through it all with a dignity that is summarized by the title of the book.

The distinguishing feature of this book is that it is told from a personal perspective and based on several interviews of people who best knew Ernie Davis. The conversation style of the book makes it flow like a novel, so it is a very quick read. The writing style works very well because Burch knew Davis personally and took tremendous time to document perspectives of Davis from his friends. In fact, John Brown, a college roommate, personally reviewed the manuscript and commented on the book.

The story also clarifies some of the misperceptions that people may have had about Davis if they only watched The Express. While the Express was a movie I enjoyed, it really represented more of an outline of Ernie Davis's life than the full story. One missing aspect of the movie was Ernie's influence on so many people. These stories extend to Ernie's last days, which provides some interesting historical perspectives (e.g., the debates by Art Modell and Paul Brown over whether to play Ernie, which was the beginning of an important split between the two that influenced the history of the NFL).

All in all a great book for any fan of history, and a particular interest for any fan of college football. On the 50th anniversary of Ernie Davis's historical Heisman, hopefully he will get the recognition he deserves for being a truly great person along with being a great football player.

"A Halo For A Helmet: The Whole Story of Ernie Davis" by Coralee Burch, is a must read for anyone familiar with the life of the legendary football player. Ernie Davis was recently brought back to the public's memory with a feature film on his life that came out a few years ago, and other books have been written by him, but Dr. Burch's book on Mr. Davis offers the reader a unique point of view, backed up by years of research and interviews with those who knew him best. Although Ernie Davis may be remembered most as the first African-American Heisman Trophy winner, his legend has now reached almost mythical proportions. But the story that "A Halo For A Helmet" tells is not only about an exceptional athlete whose life was cut short by a dreaded blood disorder, but more importantly it documents the incredibly special human being the man was. In stark contrast to the self-centered and narcissistic athletes we find in the sports world today (both at the collegiate and professional levels), Ernie Davis is remembered as a humble and deeply caring person who had a very special quality as a man. Dr. Burch conveys Ernie's consistent warmth and caring towards others throughout the book, and it is those qualities which those who loved him seem to remember most. "A Halo For A Helmet" was obviously a long time labor of love for the author, and the sincerity of her passion for keeping Ernie's memory alive is a wonderful testament to what kind of effect Mr. Davis had on her, and so many others who were blessed to have met and known him. This is a heartwarming book recommended to all (not just sports lovers).

During a Monday night game this season, ESPN did a story on Ernie Davis and I was fascinated. Ernie Davis name is not mentioned in the same circles as Walter Payton, Rudy or Pat Tillman but he deserves his place in history. The author K. Coralee Burch has given him his rightful place in history. Juxtaposing two historical African American figures and brilliant quotes from Booker T. Washington and John Brown "A Halo for a Helmet" (great title) is a keeper.