American · Claremont, California, USA · Born 26 December 1924 · Died 2005-03-09Army halfback nicknamed 'Mr. Outside,' who won the 1946 Heisman Trophy a year after finishing runner-up to backfield partner Doc Blanchard, completing one of the most celebrated duos in college football history.
Glenn Woodward Davis was born on 26 December 1924 in Claremont, California, and enrolled at the United States Military Academy in 1943, quickly establishing himself as one of the fastest and most elusive backs in the country. Paired with fullback Felix 'Doc' Blanchard from 1944 to 1946, Davis earned the nickname 'Mr. Outside' for his breakaway speed on sweeps and passing plays, a perfect complement to Blanchard's power running up the middle. The duo led Army to consecutive undefeated national championships in 1944 and 1945, compiling a combined record of 27-0-1 across Davis's three varsity seasons, the only blemish a scoreless tie with Notre Dame in 1946. Davis finished runner-up to Blanchard in the 1945 Heisman voting before winning the award outright himself in 1946, becoming a three-time consensus All-American in the process. Together, Blanchard and Davis scored 97 touchdowns and 585 points across their careers and remain the only players from the same backfield to both become three-time consensus All-Americans and Heisman Trophy winners. Davis also excelled on Army's track team and, along with Blanchard, played himself in the 1947 film 'The Spirit of West Point.' He was selected in the 1947 NFL draft by the Los Angeles Rams but, like Blanchard, initially pursued a military career before eventually playing two NFL seasons for the Rams from 1950 to 1951. Davis was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1958, and Army retired his No. 41 jersey; in the late 1990s he donated his Heisman Trophy to his high school alma mater, Bonita High in La Verne, California. He died in 2005 at age 80.
Winning the 1946 Heisman Trophy a year after finishing runner-up to backfield partner Doc Blanchard, completing college football's most celebrated running back duo
How They Played
Exceptionally fast, elusive halfback known as 'Mr. Outside' for his breakaway speed on sweeps and in the open field, a stark stylistic contrast to Blanchard's power running
Lasting Impact
Remembered as one half of the greatest backfield partnership in college football history, whose speed perfectly complemented Blanchard's power during Army's wartime dynasty of the mid-1940s
Career Honours
- 1946 Heisman Trophy
- 1945 Heisman Trophy Runner-Up
- 3x Consensus All-American (1944-1946)
- 3x National Champion with Army
American Athletes