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 sport in. The ernie davis story, directed by gary fleder and based on the nonfiction book the. The express, which opened nationwide october 10, profiles ernie davis, who in. Great american stories of the men who won, a book by bill pennigton. The story of a heisman trophy winner 9780910155755. And it is a tale of unusual courage in facing a grave illness. The ernie davis story from the worlds largest community of readers. Remember ernie davis, the first africanamerican to win the heisman. The only fulllength biography of davis, ernie davis. Stream and download audiobooks to your computer, tablet. He was drafted by the cleveland browns, but never played a down in the nfl because he was diagnosed with leukemia soon after.
Gallagher, helped keep davis memory alive by exposing new generations of. Gallagher, began production in april 2007 and was released on october 10, 2008. This biopic focuses on the relationship of ernie davis 19391963, a gifted africanamerican athlete, and his coach from 1958 to 1962 at syracuse university, ben schwartzwalder 19091993. 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 elmira express. A multisport high school star in elmira, new york, davis went on to syracuse university, prezi. 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, on which the movie is based. The 2008 universal pictures film the express, based on the nonfiction book ernie davis. The express, a biopic about davis that opens friday, is at least in theory supposed to be based on his real life. Inspiring scene at the end of the movie the express story of ernie davis. Gallagher perseverance is a word that is commonly used to describe the personality and work ethic of ernie davis. Ernie davis gravesite the express, statue, elmira express. A motion picture biography, the express, directed by gary fleder and based on the nonfiction book the elmira express. Ernie davis was a running back for the university of syracuse from 1958 until 1961. The express he could do it all, beat every opponent. Despite a stellar college football career, no nfl record books mention him. Ernie davis project gutenberg selfpublishing ebooks. The ernie davis story, directed by gary fleder and based on the nonfiction book the elmira express. The ernie davis story the express is an awesome book written about the career of ernie davis and all of the hardships he faced on his journey to the nfl.
The express 2008 cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. Ernest davis december 14, 1939 may 18, 1963 was an american football. The film is based on the life of syracuse university football player ernie davis, the first african american to win the heisman trophy, portrayed by actor rob brown. Gallagher which was originally published on june 1st, 1999. Ernie davis, the elmira express here, in this special anniversary edition, is the original, enduring story of ernie davis as told by those who were closest to him. The record book shows davis, a sophomore, had a breakout game in 1959 against the mountaineers, rushing for 141 yards. A few days before the 1962 allstar game it was discovered sadly that ernie had leukemia.
The express is the story of ernie davis, the 1961 heisman trophy winning running back from syracuse. Ernie davis was an allamerican on the gridiron, and a man of integrity off the field. He works for the fairfax county public library in virginia. Nor is there mention of any west virginia ruckus in robert c. He was the first africanamerican man to win the heisman trophy and to be picked first overall in the nfl draft. The express soundtrack ernie davis story ost youtube. The ernie davis story topic the express cotton bowl awards duration. His articles have appeared in baseball digest, the washington post, the redskins report, and other publications. The basis for the universal pictures film the express, robert c. Ernie davis was an all american running back for syracuse university. In america in the late 1950s and early 60s, one young man became a symbol for a country grappling to move. The elmira express it is here for all of us to savor. Robert c gallagher a portrait of the legendary football star who broke jim browns rushing records and became the first black athlete to win the heisman trophy highlights his athletic career and his battle with the.
Gallaghers definitive biography is a story of outstanding athletic achievement and greatness. Ernie davis attended syracuse university from 1958 to 1962 and was a star player. Based on the incredible true story, the express follows the inspirational life of college football hero ernie davis rob brown, the first africanamerican to win the heisman trophy. The story of a heisman trophy winner was written by robert c. Davis was drafted by pro football, but then leukemia was discovered, he never played a pro game and died in 1963. Universal pictures made a film the express on the same book which began production on april. He led his college football team to an undefeated season and a national championship. The ernie davis story, which was turned into a major motion picture. The ernie davis storystarring rob brown, dennis quaid, darrin dewitt henson,omar benson miller, nelsan ellis, charles s. The ernie davis story is a 2008 american sports film produced by john davis and directed by gary fleder. 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. Following his draft by the nfl, tragedy struck the star athlete and he was never able to take the professional field. The ernie davis story book online at best prices in india on.
Join facebook to connect with ernie davis and others you may know. Ernest davis december 14, 1939 may 18, 1963 was an american football player, a halfback who won the heisman trophy in 1961 and was its first africanamerican winner. Schwartzwalder recruits davis with the help of allamerican running back, jim brown. 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. The three books of the collection are about ernie davis life and football career.
A threetime allamerican halfback and 1961 heisman trophy winner, ernie davis led syracuse university to the national championship as a sophomore and was inducted into the college football hall of fame in 1979. Ernie davis collection an inventory of his collection at the syracuse. The storyline was conceived from a screenplay written by charles leavitt from a book titled ernie davis. Ernie davis would become the first african american to win the heisman trophy, college footballs biggest award. An ernie davisjim brown backfield for the browns might. 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.