Donnie Davis (American football end)
{{Short description|American gridiron football player (1940–2004)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| image =
| caption =
| number = 89, 84
| position = Wide receiver / Tight end
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1940|9|18}}
| birth_place = Opelousas, Louisiana, U.S.
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2004|1|19|1940|9|18|mf=y}}
| death_place = Houston, Texas, U.S.
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 3
| weight_lbs = 225
| high_school = Wheatley (Houston, Texas)
| college = Southern
| draftyear = 1962
| draftround = 6
| draftpick = 74
| pastteams =
- Dallas Cowboys ({{NFL Year|1962}})
- Grand Rapids Blazers (1964)
- Green Bay Packers ({{NFL Year|1965}})*
- Montreal Alouettes ({{CFL Year|1965}}–{{CFL Year|1968}})
- Houston Oilers ({{NFL Year|1970}})
- Houston Texans (1974)
- Shreveport Steamer (1975)
| highlights =
| statlabel1 = Games played
| statvalue1 = 25
| pfr = DaviDo00
}}
Donnie Ray Davis (September 18, 1940 – January 19, 2004) was an American football wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys and Houston Oilers. He also was a member of the Montreal Alouettes in the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at Southern University.
Early years
Davis attended Wheatley High School, where he practiced track and field, playing organized football only as a senior.
He accepted a track and field scholarship from Southern University to run hurdles. He also played four years on the football team as a wingback.
Professional career
=Dallas Cowboys=
Davis was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the sixth round (74th overall) of the 1962 NFL draft.{{cite web| url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/1962nfldraft.html | title=1962 NFL Draft | access-date=February 19, 2023}} He appeared in 11 games as a backup wide receiver.{{cite web| url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/88088226/ | title=Sporting Scene | date=November 18, 1962 | access-date=February 19, 2023}} He was waived in 1963.
=Grand Rapids Blazers (UFL)=
=Green Bay Packers=
In 1965, he was signed by the Green Bay Packers. He was tried at defensive back and was released on August 29.{{cite web| url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/60522559/ | title=Transactions | date=August 31, 1965 | access-date=February 19, 2023}}
=Montreal Alouettes=
On September 8, 1965, he signed with the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League.{{cite web| url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/457425782/ | title=New Alouette | date=September 9, 1965 | access-date=February 19, 2023}} In 1967, he was the team's leading receiver with 31 catches for 656 yards and a 21.2-yard per catch average. On August 25, 1969, he was cut with a broken wrist.
=Houston Oilers=
In 1970, he was signed as a free agent by the Houston Oilers. He appeared in 14 games as a backup tight end. He was released on September 9, 1971.
=Houston Texans / Shreveport Steamer=
In 1974, he signed with the Houston Texans of the World Football League. The team relocated to Shreveport on September 18, and were rechristened the Shreveport Steamer. He finished the season with 18 receptions for 280 yards. Davis returned the next year, posting 9 receptions for 144 yards and one touchdown. He finished his career when the league folded on October 22, 1975.
Personal life
On January 19, 2004, he died after a lengthy battle with cancer.
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
- [https://www.cflapedia.com/Players/d/davis_donnie.htm CFL bio]
- [https://www.statscrew.com/football/stats/p-davisdon001 Football Stats]
{{Cowboys1962DraftPicks}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Davis, Donnie}}
Category:Players of American football from Houston
Category:Players of Canadian football from Houston
Category:American football wide receivers
Category:Southern Jaguars football players
Category:Dallas Cowboys players
Category:Montreal Alouettes players
Category:Houston Oilers players
Category:Houston Texans (WFL) players