Davis spent part of his boyhood years in uniontown, pa, where he lived with his grandparents until relocating to elmira to permanently live with his mother and stepfather. How the express fumbled real ernie davis story syracuse. The express soundtrack ernie davis story ost youtube. Starring dennis quaid as the hardnosed coach that helped drive him to greatness, the express is a powerful story of triumph on and off the. Witness the inspirational true story of a real american hero. He was an african american college football player and the first black man to win the heisman trophy. Free academy, davis was a highschool allamerican in football and basketball. An enduring story of a true scholarathlete, the express is a touching, impeccably researched, deeply personal portrait of ernie davis, and a vivid look at. Starring dennis quaid as the hardnosed coach that helped drive him to greatness, the express is a powerful story of triumph on and off the field that will. It follows davis life from his early youth in elmira, new york, in the 1940s and 50s. Justin jones, happily collecting soda bottles along the towns railroad tracks. Kennedy to eulogize him as an outstanding man of great character. Gallagher which was originally published on june 1st, 1999. Widely recruited to play running back in collegiate football, he chose.
The express the ernie davis story trailer hd youtube. The ernie davis storystarring rob brown, dennis quaid, darrin dewitt henson,omar benson miller, nelsan ellis, charles s. Making history the story of ernie davis video 2009 7 10. The express, gary fleders biopic of syracuse running back ernie davis, hits all the conventional plot points of the traditional inspirational football story. Oct 10, 2008 the only thing political was what happened in real life. The ernie davis story offers discussion topics, writing activities and service project ideas for youth ages 18 based on the central themes in the book and the movie.
Robert gallagher did an amazing job illustrating ernie davis life story. Vadeboncoeur movie stories about individuals, particularly sports stars, endure with the express, the biography. A multisport high school star in elmira, new york, davis went on to syracuse university, where as a sophomore he led his team to an undefeated season and a national championship in 1959, and earned his nickname. The basis for the universal pictures film the express, robert c. Most people think my life has been all about football. He was drafted by the cleveland browns, but never played a down in the nfl because he was diagnosed with leukemia soon after.
Courtesy of universal picturesrob brown as ernie davis in the express. Universal pictures made a film the express on the same book which began production on april, 2007 and was released on october 10th, 2008. Gallagher, is said to be the basis of the film, although friends like. The story of a heisman trophy winner was written by robert c. Gary fleder does more than that in telling the story of ernie davis the elmira express, the running back for syracuse who became the first africanamerican to win the heisman trophy, in 1961. The express original motion picture soundtrack mark isham. Ernie davis, american collegiate gridiron football player who was the first african american to win the heisman trophy. The storyline was ernie davis, the elmira express, is. His articles have appeared in baseball digest, the washington post, the redskins report, and other publications. The express movie guide 2008 the ernie davis story tpt. The ernie davis story, which was turned into a major motion picture.
The elmira express, ernie davis african american registry. The storyline was conceived from a screenplay written by charles leavitt from a book titled ernie davis. Gallagher s definitive biography is a story of outstanding athletic achievement and greatness. Thing is, i dont know how much more is in front of me, and as you see from the number of pages if youve read this far, i did have a few things to say and im not sure hopw to end this, or even if i want to.
Gallagher is one of the most heart shifting stories and it will definately change your outlook on sports, and how ernie davis affected sports today. The ernie davis story is a 2008 american sports film produced by john davis and directed by gary fleder. The ernie davis story is a movie about the star running back, ernie davis, and how discrimination and racism wouldnt stop him from becoming the. Soon, they are confronted by a gang of white boys approximately 1015 hurling racial epithets and threatening to beat them up if they young ernie and young will do not give.
The ernie davis story unabridged edition by gallagher, robert c. Starring dennis quaid as the hardnosed coach that helped drive him to greatness, the express is a powerful story of triumph on and off the field that will have you cheering again and again. The ernie davis story is a movie about the star running back, ernie davis, and how discrimination and racism wouldnt stop him from becoming the best football player he. This was the recognition given to ernie by the president of the time. The express he could do it all, beat every opponent. In america in the late 1950s and early 60s, one young man became a symbol for a country grappling to move. Ernie davis was born on this date in 1939 in new salem, pennsylvania. Davis was seen as a hero and a man of true character while facing racism and discrimination o. The express is involving and inspiring in the way a good movie about sports almost always is. Based on the reallife story of college football hero ernie davis, the express will remind some moviegoers of the hearttugging brians song. The express, follows the true story of ernie davis. In battling his illness, davis showed great dignity and courage, inspired the nation, and moved president john f. Gallagher, began production in april 2007 and was released on october 10, 2008.
It showed the character of ernie davis and the faith he had in his own abilities, his coach, family and his god. Jan 19, 2012 the express, the ernie davis story duration. The ernie davis story is an american sports film directed by gary fleder released by universal pictures on october 10, 2008. Davis rushed for 2,386 yards and scored 220 points for the orangemen. It is based on the life of syracuse university football player ernie davis, the first african american to win the heisman trophy.
The formula is basic and durable, and when you hitch it to a good story, you can hardly fail. The express is the story of ernie davis, the 1961 heisman trophy winning running back from syracuse. The elmira express, the story of a heisman trophy winner, by robert c. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. The express 2008 dont lose yourselves half time speech 1960 cotton bowl classic duration. Gallagher is an extremely inspiring and motivating book. Gary fleders biopic of syracuse running back ernie davis, hits all the conventional. A multisport high school star in elmira, new york, davis went on to syracuse university. Jim brown says express ernie davis like barack obama duration. Dec 18, 2015 ernie davis was an allamerican on the gridiron and a man of integrity off the field. Biography ernie davis was an allamerican on the gridiron, and a man of integrity off the field.
Ernie davis was an all american on the gridiron, and a man of integrity off the field. T he story begins with a young ernie davis justin martin and a young will davis jr. Oct 08, 2008 ernie davis legacy lives on long after his death. The express, a film chronicling davis brief but impactful life, reintroduces davis to the world this week. The only fulllength biography of davis, ernie davis. Shaquille oneal and his phoenix suns teammates rent a theater at carousel center to. Rising from the humblest of beginnings, ernie davis rob brown overcame impossible odds to become the first africanamerican to win college footballs greatest honor the heisman trophy. At times the express couldnt decide whether it was telling a story of racial tensions, a general inspirational sports film or the tragic biography of ernie davis. He works for the fairfax county public library in virginia. Here, in this special anniversary edition, is the original, enduring story of ernie davis as told by those who were closest to him. Davis was a player for syracuse university during late 1950s and early 1960s who went on to become the first african american to win the heisman trophy. The ernie davis story, directed by gary fleder and based on the nonfiction book the elmira express.