Caramanna's memories of Davis still vivid

Pasquale "Pat" Caramanna doesn't need a movie to tell him about the life of former Syracuse football star Ernie Davis.

Caramanna, an Adams resident, shared the field with Davis almost 50 years ago. He vividly remembers those sizzling hot days on the sun-kissed grass at Archbold Stadium, witnessing the athletic grace of a man known as "The Elmira Express."

Davis wastheinfluential player behind the Orange's lone national championship football team in 1959. The transcendent running back was a two-time All-American and the first black athlete to claim the coveted Heisman Trophy in 1961. Before playing a single down in the NFL, Davis contracted leukemia and died two years later. He was 23 years old.

Approximately 40 players from SU's title-winning team will be in attendance tonight at the gala premiere of the Universal Pictures film, "The Express", which is based on Davis's life. The event will be held at the Landmark Theatre in Syracuse. Caramanna, 69, will join his teammates on the orange carpet to celebrate Davis in Hollywood style.

But Caramanna said Davis didn't exemplify Hollywood. Davis was modest and a man of few words.

"A great, respectful human being," Caramanna said. "Forever faithful and loyal to everyone. But when the whistle blew, he'd chew your head off, in a nice way."

To Caramanna, Davis was more than just a player gifted with a perfect blend of power and speed. The Elmira native gained the most notoriety for his accomplishments on the field. Away from the stadium, he was a humble soul.

Caramanna, a native of Camden, N.J., came to Syracuse with fellow native John Brown, who was one of three black players on SU's football team. Brown roomed with Davis a year later when the Elmira native arrived as a freshman. Caramanna, Brown and Davis became good friends, and Caramanna lived next door to Brown and Davis in the Watson Hall dormitory on campus.

Caramanna said the greatest times were in between grueling two-a-day sessions dictated by head coach Ben Schwartzwalder. Caramanna, Davis and others would get together, and they would each fix a gallon of Kool-Aid to stay hydrated before the next practice. There were poker games and trips to the movies where Caramanna said Davis would join in, smile and laugh.

"As long as it was right and decent, Ernie was willing to be a part of it," Caramanna said. "He had that sly smile that said, 'He knows something we don't know.'"

The smile didn't appear often on the field. Davis was a swift, yet punishing, runner for Syracuse during the championship season. As a sophomore, he averaged 7 yards a carry and rushed for 10 touchdowns.

"He literally could do it all and yet was a very unassuming individual," Caramanna said. "He was a great, great football player, who in my time, was unsurpassed in the things he was doing."

While he was fantastic in games, Caramanna said Davis was even better in practice. He can recall Davis dancing along the sideline as his No. 44 jersey blew past defenders. When the Orange needed a couple yards, Caramanna said they called "514 dive" — a short-yardage play. As a junior fullback, Caramanna would open holes for Davis. On a few occasions, as players peeled themselves off the pile, Davis wouldn't be at the bottom. He was down the field, galloping toward the end zone.

One of Davis's crowning moments came at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. He collected two touchdowns and Most Valuable Player honors as Syracuse finished the season 11-0 and won the national title.

On a team loaded with what Caramanna called "incredible talent" and four All-Americans, Davis was the driving force.

"He was the complete package," Caramanna said. "Every ballgame, he did something that was a little outstanding."

After two All-America seasons, Davis joined past SU star Jim Brown to forge a fantasy backfield for the Cleveland Browns. Davis wouldn't take one handoff, however, once he was stricken with leukemia.

The inspiring and saddening tale of Davis's life is perfect for the big screen. Following a special screening last week in Syracuse, Orange senior kicker and captain Patrick Shadle said "The Express" left all the players "fired up on the bus ride back to campus." They loved the game footage and seeing Davis perservere.

Caramanna hopes the public will see Davis in a different light when the movie opens nationally on Oct. 10. Remember Davis as a player, but don't forget him as a person.

"I think, and I hope, that it will stimulate a lot of people to have it in their minds and in discussions," Caramanna said. "It will just be the beginning of folks building a love and respect for a great athlete and human being."

Sportswriter Max DelSignore covers Syracuse University football for the Times. You may reach him at mdelsignore@wdt.net.