Professional Football Player and Radio Station Owner
Michael 'Tony' Davis, the legendary Nebraska Cornhuskers fullback and NFL veteran known as the 'Tecumseh Tornado,' passed away on April 5, 2026, at the age of 73. A powerhouse of the 1970s gridiron, Davis was the first 1,000-yard rusher under Tom Osborne and a relentless advocate for retired players' rights.
Born in Tecumseh, Nebraska, his physical nature earned him the nickname 'Tough Tony' from his brothers at a very early age, according to University of Nebraska Athletics. He starred at Tecumseh High School, rushing for over 5,000 yards and earning All-American honors in 1969 and 1970.
He played for Nebraska from 1973 to 1975. The year 1974 marked his transition from a regional star to a national icon. Davis achieved the unprecedented feat of winning Most Valuable Player honors in two different major bowl games within a single calendar year. He first earned MVP of the 1974 Cotton Bowl after rushing for 106 yards and a touchdown to defeat Texas. He then secured MVP honors in the 1974 Sugar Bowl. Former Nebraska head coach Tom Osborne noted his impact, stating, "Tony was a very physical runner. He was a guy that really set the tone for our running game in those early years." Davis finished his collegiate career as Nebraska's all-time leading rusher with 2,445 yards, breaking Jeff Kinney's previous record.
The Cincinnati Bengals selected Davis in the fourth round of the 1976 NFL Draft. His punishing style resonated with both players and fans, who voted him the Bengals Team MVP in 1977. Traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1979, he spent three seasons there and helped the team reach the NFC Championship Game. He concluded his playing days with a single season for the USFL's Boston Breakers in 1983. The Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame selection committee perfectly described his approach, noting he preferred to run over tacklers rather than go around them, and made defenders pay for getting in his way.
After football, Davis owned and operated AM 870 KJMP, an ESPN Radio affiliate in Fort Collins, Colorado. His son Josh Davis later continued the family athletic legacy as a running back for Nebraska. Davis was inducted into the Nebraska Sports Hall of Fame in 1989, the Nebraska Football Hall of Fame in 1991, and the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame in 2025.
The same gritty determination that defined his punishing runs on the field fueled his later life. Davis channeled his relentless philosophy into working with Congress to address health and pension issues for retired NFL players. Battling Parkinson's disease in his final years, he faced his physical decline with the identical toughness that made him a football legend. His legacy remains one of unyielding strength and dedicated service to the game and its veterans.
Those who wish to honor Michael's memory are invited to .
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Tony and I, Debbie Stover now Deb Johnson, met in church as small kids. Went to kindergarten together. Well, that year we got married, he gave a ring at recess in the gym. Kissed too! So many memories. One more, he loaned me his high school football jersey so I could wear it at my power puff football game. He and I sat together a lot in class. Always got in trouble for talking all the time. Sure missed him after our high school days. Will miss seeing him again, wish I could have seen him one last time. Till we see each other again.
Offering my sincerest condolences to Mrs. Davis & family. I had to privilege to sit with Tony, as a caregiver, at hospice for a few hours on Fri. 4/3/2026. We watched "The Marshalls" program together. I will keep Tony in my prayers. God Bless.
I first met tony at the Saturday dances in Syracuse NE. He would hitch from Tecumseh to Auburn to catch a ride with "The Auburn Boys" going to The Elms Ballroom in Syracuse.
What can anyone trully say at a time like this but to Lori and the whole Davis family I’m Jack Kalina and just want to express my condolences to you all for your loss and so many other people who knew Tony and what he was all about I meant Tony when I was like 12 13 years old my mom Twilla Mahoney was born and raised in Tecumseh so growing up I would spend a lot of time in the summer time staying with my cousin Mike Mahoney playing baseball and that’s when I meant Tony and other guys from Tecumseh so we over the years remained friends and always stayed in touch and I just remember even at that time he was built like a you know what never amagined a kid from Tecumseh would go on and play for the Huskers but once he hit high school alot of us knew he was going to make it in football and his hard work and dream came true and I was from Table Rock Ne and followed his career very close and he would always call his friends Brother and then he meant Lori and the rest is history but I just can’t believe he is no longer with us and God took on of the best human beings ever I miss my friend a lot as do so many other people and I had just texted him a few weeks ago knowing he was sick but he told me Jack you know me I’m a fighter and indeed he was we would send music back and forth over the last 6 or 7 years one of his favorite bands was Tower Of Power and he turned me on to them back in 1973 and on home games Nebraska while they would suit up for home games that who the team listened to in the locker room prior to the game but for now my friend I won’t say good bye I’ll just say Love you brother and I’ll see you later Rest in Piece Jack
In honor of (TTD) Tough Tony Davis, one of Huskers All time Greats, a truly Passionate Player on the field and a Greater Person off the field. My Man and Friend, my sincere Condolences to your family. Rest in Peace, #22 Kenny Brown
Tony and I, Debbie Stover now Deb Johnson, met in church as small kids. Went to kindergarten together. Well, that year we got married, he gave a ring at recess in the gym. Kissed too! So many memories. One more, he loaned me his high school football jersey so I could wear it at my power puff football game. He and I sat together a lot in class. Always got in trouble for talking all the time. Sure missed him after our high school days. Will miss seeing him again, wish I could have seen him one last time. Till we see each other again.
Offering my sincerest condolences to Mrs. Davis & family. I had to privilege to sit with Tony, as a caregiver, at hospice for a few hours on Fri. 4/3/2026. We watched "The Marshalls" program together. I will keep Tony in my prayers. God Bless.
I first met tony at the Saturday dances in Syracuse NE. He would hitch from Tecumseh to Auburn to catch a ride with "The Auburn Boys" going to The Elms Ballroom in Syracuse.
What can anyone trully say at a time like this but to Lori and the whole Davis family I’m Jack Kalina and just want to express my condolences to you all for your loss and so many other people who knew Tony and what he was all about I meant Tony when I was like 12 13 years old my mom Twilla Mahoney was born and raised in Tecumseh so growing up I would spend a lot of time in the summer time staying with my cousin Mike Mahoney playing baseball and that’s when I meant Tony and other guys from Tecumseh so we over the years remained friends and always stayed in touch and I just remember even at that time he was built like a you know what never amagined a kid from Tecumseh would go on and play for the Huskers but once he hit high school alot of us knew he was going to make it in football and his hard work and dream came true and I was from Table Rock Ne and followed his career very close and he would always call his friends Brother and then he meant Lori and the rest is history but I just can’t believe he is no longer with us and God took on of the best human beings ever I miss my friend a lot as do so many other people and I had just texted him a few weeks ago knowing he was sick but he told me Jack you know me I’m a fighter and indeed he was we would send music back and forth over the last 6 or 7 years one of his favorite bands was Tower Of Power and he turned me on to them back in 1973 and on home games Nebraska while they would suit up for home games that who the team listened to in the locker room prior to the game but for now my friend I won’t say good bye I’ll just say Love you brother and I’ll see you later Rest in Piece Jack
In honor of (TTD) Tough Tony Davis, one of Huskers All time Greats, a truly Passionate Player on the field and a Greater Person off the field. My Man and Friend, my sincere Condolences to your family. Rest in Peace, #22 Kenny Brown
