Anthony Davis (running back, born 1952)

Last updated

Anthony Davis
No. 28
Born: (1952-09-08) September 8, 1952 (age 72)
Huntsville, Texas, U.S.
Career information
Position(s) Running back
Height5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
Weight190 lb (86 kg)
College USC
High school San Fernando (Los Angeles, California)
NFL draft 1975, round: 2, pick: 37
Drafted by New York Jets
Career history
As player
1975 Southern California Sun (WFL)
1976 Toronto Argonauts (CFL)
1977 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (NFL)
1978 Houston Oilers (NFL)
1978 Los Angeles Rams (NFL)
1983 Los Angeles Express (USFL)
Career highlights and awards

Anthony Davis (born September 8, 1952), also known as "A.D.", [1] is an American former professional football player who was a running back. He played in four professional leagues: the World Football League (WFL), Canadian Football League (CFL), National Football League (NFL), and United States Football League (USFL).

Contents

Davis played college football and baseball at the University of Southern California (USC), where he was part of five national championships, two in football and three in baseball.

College career

Davis was a consensus All-American in 1974, and led the USC Trojans in rushing, scoring and kick return yardage for three consecutive seasons. He is especially remembered for scoring 11 touchdowns in three games against Notre Dame. In a 45–23 USC win on December 2, 1972, he scored six touchdowns which set a school single game record. Two of those scores came on kickoff returns. He returned the opening kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown after Notre Dame won the coin toss and chose to kick. After Notre Dame scored on a short pass and narrowed the Trojans' lead, he returned the following kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown. In this game, Davis had three kickoff returns for a total of 218 yards, an average of 72.7 yards per return. [2] This set an NCAA record for the highest average gain per return in a single game. In his career as a Trojan he returned 37 kickoffs for 1,299 yards, an NCAA record 35.1 yard average. His six career kickoff returns for touchdowns set an NCAA record which stood until 2009, when it was broken by C. J. Spiller of Clemson. Davis' kickoff return average of 42.5 yards in 1974, is the highest kickoff return average for any single season leader ever. He was also the first Pacific-8 Conference player to rush for more than 1,000 yards in three consecutive seasons – 1,191 in 1972; 1,112 in 1973 and 1,469 in 1974. For his career at USC, he carried the ball 784 times for 3,772 yards and 44 touchdowns. Davis was also a repeat (1973, 1974) first-team All-Pac-8 Conference selection. He was also the third multiple recipient of the W.J. Voit Memorial Trophy, awarded each year to the outstanding football player on the Pacific Coast. Davis won the Voit trophy in 1972 and 1974.

On November 30, 1974, he started an amazing rally which brought the Trojans back from a 24–0 second quarter deficit against #4 ranked Notre Dame to a 55–24 win. Just before halftime, he scored on a seven-yard lateral pass from quarterback Pat Haden. Davis found paydirt a second time on a 102-yard kickoff return to open the second half. With only 3:25 elapsed in the third quarter, Davis scored a third touchdown on a six-yard run. Then with still 8:37 left in the same quarter, Davis added his fourth and final touchdown of the game on a four-yard dash, dropped to his knees, went into his "endzone dance", then added a two-point conversion and the Trojans had the lead 27–24. Incredibly, Davis had scored 26 of the Trojans' first 27 points. [3] [4]

In 1974, Heisman Trophy ballots were due prior to the end of the season and before that year's USC-Notre Dame game. He finished second in the voting to Archie Griffin of Ohio State. Afterward, Heisman voting took place after all the regular season games had been played. From 1972 to 1974, with Davis as the tailback the Trojans compiled a 31–3–2 (.889) record, three conference titles, two Rose Bowl victories in three appearances and two national championships. He accumulated 24 school, conference, and NCAA records, including over 5,400 all-purpose yards and 52 touchdowns.

Davis' talents were not just limited to football, he was also successful in baseball as an outfielder and switch-hitter on USC's 1972, 1973, and 1974 College World Series champion baseball teams. [1] Playing with wood bats at the time, Davis hit .273 with six home runs, 45 RBIs and 13 stolen bases for the Trojans' 1974 team.

During his Trojan career, Davis won five national championships – two in football, three in baseball. [1] As a two-sport standout, Davis holds the distinction of being the only player in school history to start for a national champion football team (1972) and a national champion baseball team (1974). He did not finish his degree at USC. [1]

The Notre Dame vs. USC game on November 27, 2004 was titled "Anthony Davis Day", in recognition of the 30th anniversary of the record-breaking game.

While at USC, Davis was on the cover of Sports Illustrated magazine three times, including one foldout. [4] [5] [6] He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in late 2005 in New York City, and enshrined on August 12, 2006, in South Bend, Indiana.

Professional career

The Minnesota Twins selected him in the fourth round of the 1975 January amateur entry draft (83rd overall pick) for Major League Baseball (MLB); however he rejected them, thinking they would be unable to meet his salary demands. [1]

World Football League

Davis was selected by the New York Jets in the second round of the 1975 NFL draft, 37th overall. At the time, the Jets had veteran quarterback Joe Namath and offered a major stage, but the team's management were not willing to give in to his contract demands. [1] In 1975, Davis opted to play for the Southern California Sun of the upstart World Football League (WFL); he signed a five-year, $1.7-million deal that reportedly included a $200,000 cash bonus and a Rolls-Royce. [1]

He led the WFL in rushing with 1,200 yards on 239 carries and 16 touchdowns at the time of its demise. He also caught 40 passes for 381 yards and one touchdown, while on kickoff returns he ran back 9 for 235 yards and one touchdown. In all, he scored 18 TDs in the WFL for 133 points. His 16 touchdowns for rushing over 12 games is a WFL record. He also threw the ball and completed four of eleven attempts for 102 yards and a touchdown. The league folded during the season in October, [7] [8] [9] and Davis moved on.

Canadian Football League

Davis headed to the Canadian Football League in 1976, and became the league's first "million dollar man." His time with the Toronto Argonauts was not happy; his star ego clashed with CFL legend and Argos' head coach Russ Jackson's idea of a team player as a receiver. He rushed 104 times for 417 yards, caught 37 passes for 408 yards, and scored four touchdowns; Davis later stated that his heart wasn't in it with playing for the Argonauts. [10]

During the final regular season game against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (in Hamilton, Ontario), Argonauts quarterback Matthew Reed, desperate to find an open receiver, threw an incomplete pass to Davis. When Reed returned to the bench, assistant coach Joe Moss told him never to throw the ball to Davis again; he had one carry and called himself the most expensive passing decoy in football. [11]

National Football League

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had acquired the NFL rights to Davis in the 1976 NFL expansion draft, with his old USC head coach John McKay hoping to turn some new magic, but Davis' NFL career was a disappointment. Tampa Bay had lost all fourteen games in 1976, and injuries to the Bucs' top two quarterbacks in the preseason put extra pressure on the offense. In eleven games for the Bucs in 1977, he rushed 95 times for 297 yards (3.1 yard average), caught eight passes, and scored a touchdown.

In 1978, Davis played two games for the Houston Oilers, where he broke his leg in the same spot twice in one season. He later played two games for the Los Angeles Rams, where he rushed three times for seven yards.

United States Football League

In the spring of 1983 at age thirty, over four years after he last played with the Rams, Davis had a short stint with the Los Angeles Express of the new USFL, rushing twelve times for 32 yards.

After football

Following his football career, Davis found initial success as a real estate developer in the 1980s and early 1990s, while also occasionally acting in minor film and television roles. [1]

In 1990, Davis fulfilled a long-time dream and started playing professional baseball in the short-lived Senior Professional Baseball Association, playing as an outfielder for the San Bernardino Pride club. [12] The Pride had a record of 13-12 and were in third place when the league canceled the season on December 26, less than the halfway point in a planned 56-game schedule. [13]

In 2020, he was featured in the documentary "Quiet Explosions: Healing the Brain" produced and directed by Jerri Sher. [14] The film discusses CTE, a degenerative brain disease from repetitive brain trauma that Davis suffers from. [15]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Garrett</span> American football player and athletic director (born 1944)

Michael Lockett Garrett is an American former football running back who played in the National Football League (NFL) and the American Football League (AFL) for eight seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Diego Chargers. He played college football for the USC Trojans, where he won the Heisman Trophy in 1965.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ricky Watters</span> American football player (born 1969)

Richard James Watters is an American former professional football player who was a running back for the San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, and Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL). Watters played college football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, where he played wide receiver on the school's 1988 national champion team. He also won Super Bowl XXIX as a member of the 1994 49ers over the San Diego Chargers. Watters was known throughout his playing career for his outstanding receiving skills and his unique high-step running style, which earned him the nickname Ricky "Running" Watters, from ESPN sportscaster Chris Berman.

Clarence Eugene Davis is an American former professional football player who was a running back for eight seasons with the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League (NFL) from 1971 to 1978. He played college football for the USC Trojans. He won an NFL championship with the Raiders, winning Super Bowl XI.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don Doll</span> American football player and coach (1926–2010)

Donald LeRoy Doll, also known as Don Burnside, was an American football player and coach.

The 2005 USC vs. Notre Dame football game was a regular season game that took place on October 15, 2005 at Notre Dame Stadium. The game between perennial rivals USC and Notre Dame was played for the Jeweled Shillelagh. The game was preceded by much pre-game hype, including a visit by College GameDay. In what became known as the "Bush Push", the game ended with quarterback Matt Leinart being pushed by running back Reggie Bush into the end zone for the winning touchdown. His push was illegal assistance under the laws of the game but it was not called a foul by the officials.

The 2006 USC Trojans football team represented the University of Southern California during the 2006 NCAA Division I FBS football season, winning the Pacific-10 Conference (Pac-10) and playing in the Rose Bowl. The team was coached by Pete Carroll, led on offense by quarterback John David Booty, and played their home games in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2005 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team</span> American college football season

The 2005 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team represented the University of Notre Dame in the 2005 NCAA Division I-A football season. The team was coached by Charlie Weis and played its home games at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana. The Irish completed the season with a record of 9–3, culminating in an appearance in the Fiesta Bowl and a number 9 ranking in the nation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2006 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team</span> American college football season

The 2006 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team represented the University of Notre Dame in the 2006 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team was coached by Charlie Weis and played its home games at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana. The team completed the season with a record of ten wins and three losses that culminated in a post-season appearance in the 2007 Sugar Bowl and a number 19 ranking in the nation.

Tony Rice is an American former professional football player who was a quarterback in the Canadian Football League (CFL) and World League of American Football (WLAF). Rice is perhaps best remembered as the dynamic option quarterback of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish's 1988 national championship team under coach Lou Holtz. Rice played professional football for three seasons for the CFL's Saskatchewan Roughriders and the Barcelona Dragons of the World League from 1990 to 1992. He also played for Munich Thunder in the Football League of Europe in 1994.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Isaiah Stanback</span> American football player (born 1984)

Isaiah Ramon Stanback is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football as a quarterback for the Washington Huskies. He was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth round of the 2007 NFL draft. He played in the NFL for the Cowboys, New England Patriots, and Jacksonville Jaguars.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ronald Johnson (wide receiver, born 1988)</span> American football player (born 1988)

Ronald Johnson is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver. He played college football for the USC Trojans. Johnson was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the sixth round of the 2011 NFL draft.

The 1973 Rose Bowl was the 59th edition of the college football bowl game, played at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, on Monday, January 1. It matched the undefeated and top-ranked USC Trojans of the Pacific-8 Conference with the #3 Ohio State Buckeyes of the Big Ten Conference.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Notre Dame–USC football rivalry</span> American college football rivalry

The Notre Dame–USC football rivalry is an American college football rivalry between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team of the University of Notre Dame and USC Trojans football team of the University of Southern California, customarily played on the Saturday following Thanksgiving Day when the game is in Los Angeles or on the second or third Saturday of October when the game is in South Bend, Indiana.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1988 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team</span> American college football season

The 1988 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team represented the University of Notre Dame during the 1988 NCAA Division I-A football season. The Irish, coached by Lou Holtz, ended the season with 12 wins and no losses, winning the national championship. The Fighting Irish won the title by defeating the previously unbeaten and No. 3 ranked West Virginia Mountaineers in the Sunkist Fiesta Bowl in Tempe, Arizona, by a score of 34–21. The 1988 squad, one of 11 national title squads for the Irish, is considered to be one of the best undefeated teams in the history of college football. The Irish beat the teams which finished the season ranked #2, #4, #5, and #7 in the AP Poll. They also won 10 of 12 games by double digits. The 1988 squad is best remembered for its 31–30 upset of No. 1 ranked Miami, ending their 36-game regular season winning streak. The game is remembered to this day as one of the most memorable games in all of college football.

The 1973 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team represented the University of Notre Dame during the 1973 NCAA Division I football season. The Irish, coached by Ara Parseghian, ended the season undefeated with 11 wins and no losses, winning the national championship. The Fighting Irish won the title by defeating the previously unbeaten and No. 1 ranked Alabama Crimson Tide in the 1973 Sugar Bowl by a score of a 24–23. The 1973 squad became the ninth Irish team to win the national title and the second under Parseghian. Although Notre Dame finished No. 1 in the AP Poll to claim the AP national title, they were not awarded the Coaches title, since Alabama was awarded the Coaches Poll title before the bowl season.

The 1974 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team represented the University of Notre Dame during the 1974 NCAA Division I football season. It was Ara Parseghian's final season as head coach.

The 2011 USC Trojans football team represented the University of Southern California in the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS college football season. The Trojans were led by head coach Lane Kiffin in his second season. They played their home games at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and are members of the South Division of the Pac-12 Conference. After a triple-overtime loss to Stanford, the Trojans won their last four games, including a 50–0 win over rival UCLA in the regular-season finale. USC ended their season ranked No. 6 in the AP Poll with a 10–2 record overall and finished first in the South Division with a 7–2 record in Pac-12 play. However, as part of a post-season ban mandated by the NCAA, the Trojans could not participate in the conference championship game or play in a bowl game. USC concluded their season with two thousand-yard receivers, a thousand-yard rusher, and a 3,000-yard passer for the first time since the 2005 season, when Kiffin served as offensive coordinator.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2015 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team</span> American college football season

The 2015 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team represented the University of Notre Dame in the 2015 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team was coached by Brian Kelly and played its home games at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana. They competed as an independent.

Wayne Allen Carter is a former American football running back. He played in the National Football League (NFL) for the New England Patriots in 1975 and 1976 after playing college football for the USC Trojans.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bob Gladieux</span> American football player (born 1947)

Robert Joseph Gladieux is an American former professional football running back in the American Football League (AFL) and National Football League (NFL) who played for the Boston Patriots, Buffalo Bills and New England Patriots. He played college football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. He also played in the World Football League (WFL) for the New York Stars.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Lance Pugmire, For former USC star Anthony Davis, college football fame never translated into fortune, Los Angeles Times, November 22, 2010, Accessed November 23, 2010.
  2. ↑ "Davis' spree leads USC to 45-23 rout". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). Associated Press. December 3, 1972. p. 1B.
  3. ↑ "Davis' 102-yard dash ignites SC, 55-24". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). Associated Press. December 1, 1974. p. 1D.
  4. 1 2 Jares, Joe (December 9, 1974). "That California earthquake". Sports Illustrated. p. 30.
  5. ↑ Underwood, John (October 1, 1973). "Undefeated but improving". Sports Illustrated. p. 22.
  6. ↑ Putnam, Pat (November 5, 1973). "'Twas a great day for the Irish". Sports Illustrated. p. 30.
  7. ↑ "'It's over' for WFL". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). Associated Press. October 22, 1975. p. 1E.
  8. ↑ "World Football League collapses in hopeless debt". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. October 23, 1975. p. 34.
  9. ↑ "Ghost of season past kills WFL". The Bulletin. (Bend, Oregon). Associated Press. October 23, 1975. p. 13.
  10. ↑ Lynch, John (July 14, 1990). "WHERE ARE THEY NOW?: ANTHONY DAVIS : A.D.'s Past Always Present : Notre Dame Nemesis Treasures Long Run as USC, Valley Legend". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
  11. ↑ Campbell, Neil (November 8, 1976). "Argos work hard to maintain tradition". The Leader-Post. (Regina, Saskatchewan). Canadian Press. p. 16.
  12. ↑ 1990 San Bernardino Pride. The Trading Card Database. Retrieved on March 7, 2016.
  13. ↑ Baseball: Senior Baseball Season Canceled. New York Times. Retrieved on March 8, 2016.
  14. ↑ "QUIET EXPLOSIONS opens exclusively at the Laemmle in Glendale, CA Oct. 8-14 – Jewish News and Israel news – Breaking News". jewishnews.com. Retrieved April 8, 2022.
  15. ↑ "'Quiet Explosions' at SpIFF features Rypien, Spokane | The Spokesman-Review". www.spokesman.com. Retrieved April 8, 2022.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.