Vern Davis
{{Short description|American football player (born 1949)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Vern Davis
| image =
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption =
| number = 16
| position = Defensive back
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1949|11|2}}
| birth_place = Dowagiac, Michigan, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 4
| weight_lbs = 208
| high_school = Dowagiac (MI)
| college = Western Michigan
| undraftedyear = 1971
| pastteams =
- Philadelphia Eagles ({{NFL Year|1971}})
| highlights =
- Second-team All-Mid-American Conference (1969)
| statlabel1 = Games played
| statvalue1 = 3
| statlabel2 = Fumble recoveries
| statvalue2 = 1
| pfr = DaviVe20
}}
Vernon Charles Davis (born November 2, 1949) is an American former professional football defensive back who played one season in the National Football League (NFL) for the Philadelphia Eagles. He played college football at Western Michigan.
Early life and college
Davis was born on November 2, 1949, in Dowagiac, Michigan. He attended Dowagiac High School, where he graduated in 1967.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98914504/the-herald-palladium/|newspaper=The Herald-Palladium|via=Newspapers.com|date=March 8, 1971|page=13|title=Area Students In Who's Who}} {{Open access}} After graduating from Dowagiac, Davis enrolled at Western Michigan University. He played three seasons of varsity football, earning letters in 1968, 1969, and 1970.{{Cite web|url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/playerd/davi21200.html|website=Pro Football Archives|title=Vern Davis Stats}} As a junior in 1969, he was named second-team all-conference.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98914551/the-herald-palladium/|newspaper=The Herald-Palladium|via=Newspapers.com|date=November 25, 1969|page=14|title=Vern Davis Gets All-MAC Honor}} {{Open access}} As a senior, he was named co-team captain and returned seven interceptions, including one for 100 yards.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98914602/battle-creek-enquirer/|newspaper=Battle Creek Enquirer|via=Newspapers.com|date=September 5, 1971|page=25|title=WMU football on the rise|author=Krueger, Ron}} {{Open access}} Davis was included in the 1971 edition of Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities.
At Western Michigan, Davis also competed in track and field.
Professional career
After going unselected in the 1971 NFL draft, Davis was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles. He made the final roster and appeared in the first three games before being released on October 8.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98914528/the-gettysburg-times/|newspaper=The Gettysburg Times|via=Newspapers.com|date=October 8, 1971|page=13|agency=Associated Press|title=Eagles Waiver Rookie Vern Davis}} {{Open access}} His only statistic recorded was one fumble recovery.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/D/DaviVe20.htm|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|title=Vern Davis Stats}} Davis wore number 16 with the Eagles.