fsDonnie Davis Born in Opelousas LA, Davis grew up in Wheatley,Texas, but played just one year on the school football team.. He attended at Southern University on a track scholarship, played on the football team from 1958-1961 and was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys of the NFL in 1962. Davis played for in 11 games for Dallas as an occasional kick returner and wide receiver that season. He was behind All-Pro Frank Clarke on that team, and in competition with fellow rookie Pettis Norman. He was released by the Cowboys in 1963 and did six months of military service, before gaining a tryout with the BC Lions. When that did not work out. Davis ended up signing with the Grand Rapids team of the United League. That team was scouted by the Green Bay Packers and was invited to the 1964 training camp, but was a late cut. Vince Lombardi recommended him to Jim Trimble and he joined Montreal in 1965.

Davis was used initially by Trimble as a slotback for blocking purposes, but returned to the wide receiver position and occasionally at tight end due to his size. He continued to see occasional action at running back (27 carries for 196 yards in 1966) and also filled in as a defensive back where he had a couple of career interceptions. Davis's best season as a receiver was in 1967 when he led the team with 31 catches for 656 yards and an excellent 21.2 yard per catch average. He soldiered on with the team for four seasons from 1965 through1968 spanning the most dismal competitive era of the team’s history. In 1969 his tenure ended abruptly when he was released on August 25th after sustaining a broken wrist prior to a July 24th exhibition game. He subsequently returned to the US to serve 3 weeks of military duty and played two games before the extent of his injury was known. Davis sued the team for salary for the balance of the year, which the team refused to pay.

Davis' place on the roster was taken by future hall of famer Peter Dalla Riva. While the lawsuit was pending, Davis received a tryout offer from the Houston Oilers. As a result, he made the team (joining ex-teammate Garland Boyette) and provided a career oddity in that he appeared in the US league with an eight year gap. While dressed for 14 games in 1970, his contribution was limited to two kick returns. The lawsuit was resolved when the Alouettes were sold to a new owner, Sam Berger, and the case was settled out of court in February 1971 with Davis receiving partial salary for the 1969 season.

Donnie Davis passed away on January 19, 2004 in Houston, Texas after a lengthy battle with cancer..