MSU Legend Art Davis Passes Away
January 29, 2021 | Football
STARKVILLE – Mississippi State University mourns the loss of Bulldog legend Art Davis, who passed away Friday. He was 86 years old.Â
One of the greatest Bulldogs of all-time, Davis etched his name into MSU and SEC lore as an elite two-way player from 1952-55. Davis, a Clarksdale native, starred as a two-time All-SEC halfback and defensive back for the Bulldogs, racking up 1,148 rushing yards, 18 touchdowns and averaging 4.8 yards per play for his career.
On November 17, 2018, Davis became the ninth MSU legend enshrined in the Bulldogs' "Ring of Honor."Â
In 1954, Davis was recognized as the SEC's Player of the Year by the Atlanta Journal Constitution and Nashville Banner in addition to receiving All-SEC accolades. That season, he led the Bulldogs with 670 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns, including four in State's 25-0 victory at LSU. He produced three rushing scores and returned an interception for a touchdown in the win against the Tigers.
As a senior in 1955, Davis was tabbed National Player of the Year and All-American by the Football Writers Association of America. Following his co-captain season, he was selected to play in the 1955 Blue-Gray Game and the 1956 Senior Bowl. He was the first round draft choice and the fifth overall pick of the 1956 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Davis, whose NFL career was cut short due to a knee injury, was inducted into the MSU Sports Hall of Fame in 1971 and the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame in 1981.
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One of the greatest Bulldogs of all-time, Davis etched his name into MSU and SEC lore as an elite two-way player from 1952-55. Davis, a Clarksdale native, starred as a two-time All-SEC halfback and defensive back for the Bulldogs, racking up 1,148 rushing yards, 18 touchdowns and averaging 4.8 yards per play for his career.
On November 17, 2018, Davis became the ninth MSU legend enshrined in the Bulldogs' "Ring of Honor."Â
In 1954, Davis was recognized as the SEC's Player of the Year by the Atlanta Journal Constitution and Nashville Banner in addition to receiving All-SEC accolades. That season, he led the Bulldogs with 670 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns, including four in State's 25-0 victory at LSU. He produced three rushing scores and returned an interception for a touchdown in the win against the Tigers.
As a senior in 1955, Davis was tabbed National Player of the Year and All-American by the Football Writers Association of America. Following his co-captain season, he was selected to play in the 1955 Blue-Gray Game and the 1956 Senior Bowl. He was the first round draft choice and the fifth overall pick of the 1956 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Davis, whose NFL career was cut short due to a knee injury, was inducted into the MSU Sports Hall of Fame in 1971 and the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame in 1981.
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