Won the 1961 Heisman Trophy, as the outstanding college football player; first black player to win the award.
Selected #1 in the 1962 NFL Draft by the Washington Redskins; first black player to be the #1 NFL Draft pick. Shortly thereafter, he was traded to the Cleveland Browns. Also selected #4 in first round of the 1962 AFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills.
Inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1979.
Played football at Syracuse University, 1959-1961.
Interred in Woodlawn Cemetery, Elmira, New York.
Shortly before the 1962 All-Star game, he was diagnosed with leukemia and never played in a professional game.