Ben Davis

Benjamin Frank Davis (born October 30, 1945) is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback and return specialist for 10 years in the National Football League (NFL). He is the brother of political activist Angela Davis.

Early life Davis was born in 1945 in Birmingham, Alabama. His father, a graduate of St. Augustine's College, a traditional black college in Raleigh, North Carolina, was briefly a high school history teacher, but found it more lucrative to own and operate a service station in the black section of Birmingham. His mother, with an MA from New York University, was an elementary school teacher. then marked time by attending Bridgton Academy, a prep school in Maine until he was old enough to enroll in Defiance College With Paul Warfield, Gary Collins and Clifton McNeil already established as receivers, Davis was switched to a defensive role. In his rookie year, he led the league in punt returns, averaging 12.7 yards per return, and one 52-yard return for a touchdown. He also led the Browns in returning kickoffs, with 27 returns totalling 708 yards, including one of 63 yards.