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Central Michigan football legend Titus Davis, 27, of Wheaton, Illinois, passed away surrounded by family on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2020.
My manchild nephew Titus Davis-Timson has gone to be with the ancestors after a battle with Renal Medullary Carcinoma. I love you forever nephew RIP (03 January 1993 - 11 November 2020) pic.twitter.com/sxBM4kvQlC
— Kafayat Toks MamaBear Timson (@OrignalBabydoll) November 11, 2020
Davis had recently been diagnosed with renal medullary carcinoma, a rare form of cancer, back in July 2020. RMC, still a relatively new disease in the medical field, currently has no cure or known cause.
Davis and his family had been traveling back-and-forth from Wheaton to Houston, Texas, to try and treat the disease, which has a high fatality rate. The family had raised over $40,000 via GoFundMe back in July, in an effort to get Titus the best treatment they could.
Davis left Mt. Pleasant as Central Michigan’s all-time leading receiver in yards (3,700) and touchdowns (37), as well as fourth in receptions (204) at the time of his graduation, and joined fellow Chippewa legends Dan LeFevour and Bryan Anderson as the only three Chippewas to ever be selected to an all-MAC team in each of their four years in Maroon and Gold.
Davis, a freshman All-American selection by Phil Steele, also had the honor of being the first-ever player at the FBS level to catch eight touchdowns or more in his career.
Davis left his mark on the CMU program with several all-time plays on the gridiron.
Davis was a key part of the 2012 upset of the Iowa Hawkeyes, picking up five receptions, 72 yards and two touchdowns on the afternoon, including the score which would ultimately set up the game-winning on-side kick and David Harman field goal.
Perhaps his most famous moment in a Chippewa uniform was his last reception, being the ultimate receiver on the Hail Mary “Hurricane” touchdown pass that brought CMU to within one point at the end of the inaugural Bahamas Bowl in 2014. Davis had been absolutely unstoppable all day for the Chippewas, with four of his six receptions ending up in touchdowns, and 137 yards receiving.
Davis would go on to be an undrafted free agent in the 2015 NFL Draft, after nursing an arm injury in the offseason, and would sign with the then-San Diego Chargers, joining fellow Chippewa Jahleel Addae.
He would also have stints with the Buffalo Bills, New York Jets (twice) and the Chicago Bears before ultimately retiring.
Davis leaves behind two sons; and a brother, Corey, former Western Michigan Bronco recevier and current Tennessee Titan.