Evening star., 1962-10-06
All Model Wants
Is to Help Davis
BY MORRIS sIEGEL

IN SPORTS AS IN everything else, this is the materi
aisic age Attendance teevision, salaries ownership
franchise shifts legal scraps and thousand other
tangbles wrongfully blur the human dramas involved
Emotions play huge part in sports. Too often they
either unreported reduced to state Of appeal
unbeftting their Importance they public notice
Some of it is pure cornball stuff, to be sure But
there's an awful lot that does fit in this era in
which "What have you done for lately?" is the big
question.
The Ernie Davis story is not merely another chapter
in the life of big sports star done in by an ailment
1t is story of a mans life, life which at one time
was considered to be shortved There is no certainty
yet that Davis has licked his attacker.
THE ODDS ARE AGAINST it. There never has been
successful recovery from leukema, even form OF
leukemia," as Davis illness has been diagnosed. Until
yesterday Davis strapping 21Opounder with powerful
body had not been told what wrong with him.
He undoubtedly guessed thousand things He had
to know that it grave, whatever 1t 1t couldn't
be hidden. He had been examined, checked and dag
nosed by experts He he suffering from "bood
disorder He researched here at the National Inst
tutes of Health.
Yet nobody told him exactly until yesterday He felt
fine, he looked fine He even had gained pounds But
he was barred from football. You can imagine the
thoughts that entered his mind.
ENTER ART MODEL, president of the Cleveland
Browns The odell-Davis relationship transcends the
usual owner-player alliance. Theirs PERSONAL The
tragedy of Davis Modells tragedy Model felt For
weeks Model carried the Davis problem with him. He
fought himself whether to tell Davis and If so how
to tell him and after telling him. what he could do to
the burden.
Three weeks ago in Cleveland, in this reporters
presence Model had reached decision Davis wanted to
play football Why can't ~" he asked "I something's
wrong with me- tell can take it, Model tried 10
switch the subject But Davis persisted to point where
Model personally talked with every dagnoSuclan ana
doctor who had been called in on the case
The original diagnosis was right: Leukemia. 1t was
known generally by the press but there was tact agree
ment not write it. 1t would be cruel to Davis who had
not been told.
"TTIE DOCTOR IN Washington" Model said during
our visit told if Ernie had been member OF the
Redskins and they had asked whether 1t would be oKay
for him to practice he would have told them yes
"Three doctors in Cleveland said the same thlng
But we had to be sure gave him another blood check
It turned out good He is in state OF remission IL
means he is perfectly well, temporarily.
"Now had to tell Ernie. wanted to make II clear
there would be exploitation, noneas God my judge
The doctors said it was right Ernie himself wanted to
play and we had to tell the public.
"He wanted to work out calisthenics or anything
What's he supposed to do sit around with his fingers
crossed and wait for whatever fate has in store Tor h
For Ernes sake and only for Ernes sake hope we've
made the right decision We have every bit OF assurance
humanity possible that working out maybe even playing
later on If work himself into playing shape WON
jeopardize his condition 1t couldn't be otherwise
THERE IS A SOMEWHAT parallel case 1t also nap
pened with Cleveland athlete He baseball player
pitcher named Russ Christopher The INDIANS oougnC
him from the old Philadelphia Athletics in 194S Connie
Mack told me when bought him that he had heart
condition" Bill Veeck said. "a serious one. We TOOK MN
anyway"
When Christopher Joined the Cleveland CLUB ne was
told again what he had and asked If he still wanted 80
play He did, badly He played WELL contributed 1our
wins to Clevelands pennant.
He died in San Diego the following year
81 know made life happier for him. VeecK aooeo'
This is all the and Model are interested IN
They want to ease Ernie Davis life And also hope LOT
miracle.