Born: November 29, 1934
Hometown: Clarksdale, MS
Year Induction: 1981
Deceased : January 29, 2021
High School Career
Clarksdale High School
College Career
Mississippi State (1952–1955)
• Four-year starter
• First Team All-SEC and All-South (1954)
• SEC Player of the Year – Nashville Banner (1954)
• First Team Look Magazine/FWAA All-American (1955)
• FWAA College Player of the Year (1955)
• SEC Best Offensive Back (1954) and Best Defensive Back (1955)
• Scored all 4 touchdowns in 25–0 win over LSU (1954)
• Played in Blue-Gray Game, Senior Bowl, and College All-Star Game
Professional Career
• First-round NFL Draft pick, 5th overall, Pittsburgh Steelers (1956)
• Knee injury ended professional career after rookie season
Coaching Career
• Biloxi High School, LSU, and Georgia Tech
• University of Texas National Championship team (1963)
Honors
• SEC Football Legend (2004)
Did You Know?
Art Davis was inducted into Mississippi State’s Davis Wade Stadium Ring of Honor in 2018.
Sport : Coaching, Football
Induction Year : 2026
University : University of Mississippi
Sport : Coaching, Football
Induction Year : 2025
University : University of Southern Miss
Sport : Football, Refeereing
Induction Year : 2025
University : Mississippi State University
Sport : Baseball, Coaching
Induction Year : 2025
University : University of Southern Miss
Sport : Basketball, Coaching
Induction Year : 2025
University : University of Alabama
Sport : Tennis
Induction Year : 2024
University : Trinity University, San Antonio, Texas
Sport : Track & Field
Induction Year : 2024
University : University of Mississippi
Sport : Basketball, Coaching
Induction Year : 2024
University : Mississippi State University
Sport : Baseball, Broadcasting
Induction Year : 2024
University : University of Florida
Sport : Football
Induction Year : 2023
University : University of Southern Mississippi
Sport : Basketball, Coaching
Induction Year : 2022
University : Mississippi State University
Sport : Administration, Baseball
Induction Year : 2022
University : Delta State University
Sport : Football
Induction Year : 1969
University : Auburn University, Mississippi State Uni...
Sport : Basketball
Induction Year : 1979
University : Copiah-Lincoln Community College, Millsa...
Sport : Basketball
Induction Year : 2015
University : University of Southern Mississippi
Sport : Football, Track & Field
Induction Year : 1970
University : Mississippi State University
Sport : Basketball, Coaching
Induction Year : 2015
University : Belhaven University, Hinds Community Col...
Sport : Basketball, Coaching
Induction Year : 1991
University : Kentucky State University, Alcorn State ...
Sport : Football
Induction Year : 2011
University : Pearl River Community College, Universit...
Sport : Coaching, Football
Induction Year : 1986
University : Mississippi State University, University...
Sport : Coaching
Induction Year : 1981
University : Millsaps, University of Southern Mississ...
Sport : Coaching, Football
Induction Year : 1971
University : University of Mississippi, University of...
Sport : Coaching, Football
Induction Year : 1976
University : Texas Christian University, University o...
Sport : Basketball, Coaching
Induction Year : 1974
University : Delta State University
Sport : Coaching, Track & Field
Induction Year : 2018
University : Mississippi College, University of Missi...
Sport : Coaching
Induction Year : 1984
University : Mississippi State University, East Missi...
Sport : Football
Induction Year : 1973
University : Copiah-Lincoln Community College, Louisi...
Sport : Baseball, Coaching
Induction Year : 1978
University : University of Mississippi
Sport : Baseball, Coaching
Induction Year : 1990
University : University of Southern Mississippi
Sport : Coaching, Football
Induction Year : 1975
University : Mississippi Delta Community College, Del...
Sport : Tennis
Induction Year : 2010
University : University of Mississippi, Mississippi C...
Sport : Football
Induction Year : 2004
University : Mississippi Valley State University
Sport : Basketball, Coaching
Induction Year : 2005
University : Copiah-Lincoln Junior College, Universit...
Sport : Auto Racing
Induction Year : 2010
University : University of Mississippi, Mississippi C...
Sport : Coaching, Track & Field
Induction Year : 1968
University : Mississippi State University
Sport : Coaching, Football
Induction Year : 2003
University : Copiah-Lincoln Community College, Univer...
Sport : Coaching
Induction Year : 1967
University : Mississippi State University, Copiah-Lin...
Sport : Basketball, Coaching
Induction Year : 2018
University : Tougaloo College, Mississippi Valley Sta...
Sport : Basketball
Induction Year : 2009
University : University of Mississippi, East Mississi...
Sport : Coaching
Induction Year : 1968
University : Mississippi State University, University...
Sport : Coaching, Football
Induction Year : 2002
University : Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College...
Sport : Coaching
Induction Year : 2016
University : University of Alabama, Mississippi State...
Sport : Athletic Directors, Coaching
Induction Year : 1969
University : University of Mississippi
Sport : Coaching
Induction Year : 1998
University : Jackson State University, Tougaloo Colle...
Sport : Administration, Coaching, Football
Induction Year : 2012
University : Mississippi College, Mississippi State U...
Sport : Broadcasting, Football
Induction Year : 2006
University : University of Southern Mississippi
Sport : Athletic Directors, Coaching, Football
Induction Year : 1999
University : Jackson State University, Florida A&M Un...
Sport : Track & Field
Induction Year : 2006
University : Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College
Sport : Coaching, Football
Induction Year : 1982
University : Tulane University, Hinds Community Colle...
Sport : Basketball
Induction Year : 1985
University : Hinds Community College, University of S...
Sport : Basketball, Coaching
Induction Year : 2007
University : Mississippi Delta Community College, Del...
Sport : Coaching
Induction Year : 1961
University : Mississippi State University, Mississipp...
Sport : Administration
Induction Year : 2013
University : East Mississippi Community College, Delt...
Sport : Administration, Broadcasting
Induction Year : 2013
University : Vanderbilt University
Sport : Baseball, Coaching
Induction Year : 2005
University : Louisiana Tech University, Louisiana Sta...
Sport : Baseball, Coaching
Induction Year : 1977
University : University of Southern Mississippi
Sport : Coaching, Football
Induction Year : 1998
University : University of Alabama, Jones County Juni...
Sport : Baseball, Football
Induction Year : 1972
University : University of Southern Mississippi
Sport : Coaching, Football
Induction Year : 1965
University : University of Mississippi
Sport : Coaching, Football
Induction Year : 1964
University : University of Mississippi
Sport : Baseball, Coaching, Football
Induction Year : 1968
University : University of Mississippi, Northwest Mis...
Sport : Basketball, Coaching
Induction Year : 1999
University : Mississippi University for Women
Sport : Coaching, Football
Induction Year : 1988
University : Mississippi State University
Sport : Athletic Directors, Coaching
Induction Year : 1961
University : Mississippi State University, University...
Sport : Coaching, Football
Induction Year : 2004
University : University of Southern Mississippi
Sport : Baseball, Coaching
Induction Year : 2011
University : University of Southern Mississippi
Sport : Coaching, Football
Induction Year : 1972
University : Jones County Junior College, Mississippi...
Sport : Football
Induction Year : 1981
University : Hinds Community College, University of S...
Sport : Coaching, Football
Induction Year : 1977
University : University of Tennessee, University of M...
Sport : Football
Induction Year : 1963
University : Mississippi State University
Sport : Coaching, Golf
Induction Year : 2000
University : Louisiana State University, University o...
Sport : Broadcasting, Golf
Induction Year : 1996
University : University of Mississippi
Sport : Basketball, Coaching, Football
Induction Year : 1996
University : Gallaudet University
Sport : Baseball, Coaching
Induction Year : 1974
University : University of Mississippi
Sport : Coaching, Football
Induction Year : 2002
University : Hinds Community College, Louisiana State...
Sport : Athletic Directors, Coaching
Induction Year : 1989
University : Northwestern State University, Mississip...
Sport : Administration, Baseball
Induction Year : 2011
University : Hinds Community College, Millsaps Colleg...
Sport : Basketball, Coaching
Induction Year : 1974
University : Mississippi State University
Sport : Sports Writing
Induction Year : 1999
University : University of Mississippi, University of...
Sport : Basketball, Coaching, Football
Induction Year : 1970
University : University of Mississippi, United States...
Sport : Baseball, Coaching
Induction Year : 1984
University : University of Mississippi
Sport : Coaching, Football
Induction Year : 2004
University : Millsaps College, Mississippi Gulf Coast...
Sport : Administration, Football
Induction Year : 2000
University : University of Mississippi
Sport : Athletic Directors, Coaching, Football
Induction Year : 1961
University : University of Mississippi
Sport : Baseball, Coaching
Induction Year : 2011
University : Holmes Community College, Delta State Un...
Sport : Basketball, Coaching
Induction Year : 2015
University : University of Southern Mississippi, Will...
Sport : Baseball, Basketball, Football
Induction Year : 1964
University : University of Mississippi
Sport : Basketball
Induction Year : 1988
University : University of Southern Mississippi
Sport : Basketball, Coaching
Induction Year : 1995
University : Mississippi State University
Sport : Basketball, Coaching
Induction Year : 2018
University : Jackson State University
Sport : Basketball, Coaching
Induction Year : 2016
University : University of Southern Mississippi
Sport : Basketball, Coaching
Induction Year : 1999
University : University of Southern Mississippi
Sport : Coaching
Induction Year : 2002
University : Mississippi University for Women, Missis...
Sport : Athletic Directors, Basketball, Coaching
Induction Year : 2018
University : Copiah-Lincoln Community College, Missis...
Sport : Basketball, Coaching
Induction Year : 2001
University : Alcorn State University
Sport : Coaching, Golf
Induction Year : 2007
University : Meridian Junior College, Florida State U...
Sport : Coaching, Football
Induction Year : 1993
University : Jackson State University
Sport : Coaching, Tennis
Induction Year : 2002
University : Mississippi University for Women
Sport : Football
Induction Year : 1965
University : Mississippi College, Mississippi State U...
Sport : Coaching
Induction Year : 1970
University : Louisiana State University, Pearl River ...
Sport : Coaching, Football
Induction Year : 1967
University : University of Mississippi
Sport : Athletic Directors, Coaching
Induction Year : 1966
University : University of Southern Mississippi
Sport : Football
Induction Year : 1996
University : University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Ar...
Sport : Football
Induction Year : 2000
University : University of Chattanooga, Delta State U...
Sport : Baseball, Coaching
Induction Year : 1982
University : Mississippi State University
Sport : Basketball, Coaching
Induction Year : 2003
University : East Central Community College, Nashvill...
Sport : Baseball, Coaching, Football
Induction Year : 1961
University : Mississippi College, University of Missi...
Sport : Coaching, Golf
Induction Year : 2012
University : University of Southern Mississippi
Sport : Athletic Trainer
Induction Year : 2013
University : University of Southern Mississippi
Sport : Basketball, Coaching
Induction Year : 2008
University : University of Mississippi
Sport : Basketball, Coaching
Induction Year : 1998
University : University of Mississippi, Texas A&M Uni...
Sport : Basketball
Induction Year : 2013
University : Delta State University, University of Mi...
Sport : Coaching, Football
Induction Year : 1990
University : Mississippi State University, Vanderbilt...
Sport : Broadcasting
Induction Year : 2005
University : University of Wisconsin-Madison, Univers...
Sport : Coaching
Induction Year : 1997
University : Tennessee State University, Jackson Stat...
Sport : Basketball, Coaching
Induction Year : 1963
University : University of Mississippi, Jones County ...
Sport : Coaching, Track & Field
Induction Year : 2003
University : Alcorn State University
Sport : Basketball, Coaching
Induction Year : 1991
University : University of Texas at El Paso, Universi...
Sport : Coaching, Football
Induction Year : 2005
University : University of Mississippi, Northwest Mis...
Sport : Coaching, Football
Induction Year : 2017
University : Alcorn State University, Trinity Interna...
Sport : Athletic Directors, Coaching
Induction Year : 1986
University : Mississippi College
Sport : Basketball, Coaching, Football, Track & Field
Induction Year : 1965
University : Mississippi State University, Millsaps C...
Sport : Basketball, Coaching, Track & Field
Induction Year : 1966
University : Mississippi State University, University...
Sport : Coaching, Football
Induction Year : 1985
University : Georgia Tech, Mississippi State Universi...
Sport : Baseball, Basketball
Induction Year : 1979
University : University of Mississippi
Sport : Baseball, Coaching, Football
Induction Year : 1976
University : University of Mississippi
Sport : Football
Induction Year : 2002
University : Jackson State University, Morehouse Coll...
Sport : Baseball
Induction Year : 1964
University : Louisiana State University, Mississippi ...
Sport : Athletic Directors, Baseball, Coaching
Induction Year : 1964
University : Mississippi State University, Delta Stat...
Sport : Coaching, Football
Induction Year : 1995
University : University of Mississippi, University of...
Sport : Baseball
Induction Year : 1983
University : University of Southern Mississippi
Sport : Coaching, Football
Induction Year : 1986
University : University of Mississippi
Sport : Coaching, Football
Induction Year : 1980
University : Mississippi State University, Millsaps C...
Sport : Baseball, Coaching
Induction Year : 2008
University : Jones County Junior College, University ...
Sport : Football
Induction Year : 2005
University : University of Southern Mississippi
Sport : Football
Induction Year : 2008
University : University of Southern Mississippi
Sport : Coaching, Football
Induction Year : 2000
University : Mississippi State University, University...
Sport : Coaching, Football
Induction Year : 1996
University : University of Southern Mississippi
Sport : Administration, Basketball, Coaching
Induction Year : 2008
University : Jackson State University, Coahoma Commun...
Sport : Administration, Coaching, Football
Induction Year : 2012
University : University of Mississippi
Sport : Coaching, Tennis
Induction Year : 1999
University : Mississippi State University, University...
Sport : Coaching, Football
Induction Year : 2004
University : East Mississippi Community College, Miss...
Sport : Coaching, Football
Induction Year : 2009
University : Copiah-Lincoln Community College, Tulane...
Sport : Golf
Induction Year : 2003
University : Mississippi State University, University...
Sport : Administration, Coaching, Football
Induction Year : 1994
University : Alcorn State University
Sport : Coaching, Football
Induction Year : 1973
University : Mississippi State University, Delta Stat...
Sport : Coaching, Tennis
Induction Year : 2005
University : Belhaven College, University of Mississi...
Sport : Basketball, Coaching
Induction Year : 2005
University : East Central Community College, Mississi...
Sport : Basketball, Coaching
Induction Year : 2006
University : Mississippi Delta Community College, Del...
Sport : Sports Writing
Induction Year : 2017
University : University of Southern MIssissippi
Sport : Coaching
Induction Year : 1998
University : University of Southern Mississippi
Sport : Coaching, Football
Induction Year : 2018
University : University of Mississippi
Sport : Coaching, Football
Induction Year : 2001
University : University of Southern Mississippi
Sport : Administration, Coaching, Football
Induction Year : 2013
University : East Mississippi Community College, Miss...
Sport : Baseball, Football, Refeereing, Track & Field
Induction Year : 1970
University : Mississippi College
Sport : Football
Induction Year : 1997
University : Holmes Community College, Mississippi St...
Sport : Basketball
Induction Year : 1971
University : Jones County Junior College, Delta State...
Sport : Administration, Coaching, Football
Induction Year : 2001
University : University of Mississippi, Northwest Jun...
Sport : Softball
Induction Year : 2012
University : University of Southern Mississippi
Sport : Coaching, Football
Induction Year : 2009
University : University of Georgia, University of Sou...
Sport : Basketball, Coaching
Induction Year : 1982
University : East Central Community College, Universi...
Sport : Baseball, Coaching
Induction Year : 2017
University : Jackson State University
Sport : Coaching, Football
Induction Year : 1988
University : University of Mississippi, University of...
Sport : Baseball, Broadcasting
Induction Year : 2011
University : Mississippi State University
Sport : Athletic Directors, Football
Induction Year : 2003
University : University of Mississippi
Sport : Administration
Induction Year : 1994
University : Copiah-Lincoln Community College
Sport : Baseball, Coaching
Induction Year : 1976
University : Mississippi State University
Sport : Basketball, Coaching
Induction Year : 1978
University : Mississippi State University, University...
Sport : Administration, Athletic Directors, Baseball, Coaching, Football
Induction Year : 1975
University : University of Mississippi
Sport : Coaching, Football
Induction Year : 1977
University : University of Mississippi, Millsaps Coll...
