In Theaters friday, october 10, 2008
Ernie Davis, The First African American
Heisman Trophy Winner
Based on the incredible true story,
The Express follows the
inspirational life of college football hero Ernie
Davis (Rob Brown), the first African-American
to win the Heisman Trophy. Following his draft by
the NFL, tragedy struck the star athlete and he was
never able to take the professional field. But his
tale would forever change the face of professional
sports.
Raised in poverty in the Southern Tier of New York
State, Davis overcame seemingly insurmountable obstacles
to become an unstoppable running back for the Syracuse
Orangemen. Under the guidance of coach Ben Schwartzwalder
(Dennis Quaid)-a hard-nosed surrogate father
with an obsession for winning a national title. Davis
would develop from an impressive high-school athlete
into a legend.
While everyone agreed Ernie Davis was a miracle player,
few thought this quiet young man would become an icon
for the burgeoning civil rights movement dividing
America in the early 1960s. Refusing to play by the
unspoken racist rules of the day, Davis broke through
one barrier after another to alter the way fans looked
at men of his color.
Though struck a terrible blow in the prime of his
life, his spirit soared when most would crumble. Forcing
his bull-headed coach to re-examine a life lived in
color-based privilege, Davis would join the ranks
of black pioneers who inspired a movement that smashed
barriers on and off the playing field.
Starring:
Rob Brown (Ernie Davis), Denis Quaid,
Darrin Dewitt Henson, and Charles S. Dutton
In Theaters this Friday, October
10th.
