Ernie's trophy briefly stolen

Ernie Davis' Heisman Trophy was stolen in 1976 from its display case at Syracuse University's Manley Field House. It was returned anonymously the following month.

Authorities said the trophy was discovered missing at 6:30 a.m. March 31, 1976 by janitors working at the athletic facility. The janitors reported it to univeristy police, who notified Syracuse City Police.

There was some thought at the time that the 45-pound bronze trophy was taken as a prank. Several years earlier, a football containing autographs of players from the 1959 national championship team, including Davis, was stolen following an on-campus rock concert. It was returned anonymously a few days later.

Someone turned in the Heisman Trophy to the Syracuse Post-Standard on the condition that no information would be given to police. Those responsible were never found.