Babe Ruth. Jackie Robinson. Joe Namath. Michael Jordan. Ernie Davis.
Of the five aforementioned names, odds are you know enough to give a history lesson on the first four. Even if you weren’t old enough to appreciate some of these players in their primes, you still know the stats, stories, accolades and obstacles they overcame. So why is it that many knowledgeable sports fans have no idea who Ernie Davis was?
Trust me, I’m not putting anyone down; before seeing “The Express: The Ernie Davis Story,” I don’t recall hearing much about his accomplishments either. Even Dennis Quaid, one of the film’s stars, admitted to USA Today, “I was unaware of the Ernie Davis story. There are a lot of people who don’t remember.”
Luckily, “The Express,” which will be released across the nation this Friday, will change that.
ON THE FIELD
“The Express” tells the story of Davis, who became the first African American to win the prestigious Heisman Trophy in 1961. Before Davis’s arrival at Syracuse University, the highly acclaimed Jim Brown put up astonishing statistics as the school’s star running back: in addition to averaging 6.2 yards per carry (1956) and scoring touchdowns at will, Brown was even kicking extra points. But despite the outstanding numbers, he was snubbed of the Heisman, leading many to wonder when—and if—an African American could ever win the award.
Brown helped recruit Davis, a stud from Elmira, N.Y., who was also receiving interest from programs such as Notre Dame and UCLA before choosing Syracuse. Wearing the same No. 44 that Brown had before him, it did not take long for the “Elmira Express” to make an impact. As a sophomore in 1959, Davis helped lead Syracuse to its first and only national championship with an 11-0 record (the movie is based mostly around that season), and he rushed for an unfathomable 7.8 yards per carry as a junior. His domination was too impressive to ignore and as a senior in 1961, Davis took the podium in New York to accept the Heisman. He continued to turn heads when the Washington Redskins selected him as the No. 1 overall pick in the 1962 NFL Draft.
Davis was traded to the Cleveland Browns immediately and football fans across the nation held their breaths in anticipation to see Davis and Brown line up in the same backfield. Unfortunately that never happened, as Davis was diagnosed with leukemia months later. He passed away in 1963 at only 23 years old. Before his passing, the Browns retired the No. 45 in his honor—even though Davis never played a down of NFL football—and Browns guard John Wooten called him “The greatest person I’ve ever known – period.”
Does Davis’s untimely death contribute to his relative anonymity? Or is it simply because he never played as a professional? Regardless, this touching story, being released right in the heart of football season, will finally have a chance to receive the recognition it deserves.
ON THE SCREEN
Quaid plays the role of Ben Schwartzwalder, the Syracuse head coach known for his no-nonsense attitude and winning reputation. Viewers get a first-hand look at Schwartzwalder’s love-hate relationship with Brown, as well as his inner battles to “do the right thing” with Davis. What makes Quaid’s performance so special is that it is not sugar-coated; Schwartzwalder is far from comfortable with integration and has many unlikeable moments. Still, the head coach eventually comes to terms not only with Davis’s abilities but also his leadership and personality. As the film progresses, we see Schwartzwalder ease up and show more support for Davis. (It’s a good thing he did, too: along with the national title, Schwartzwalder also won Coach of the Year in 1959.)
The role of Davis is handled brilliantly by Rob Brown. If you are unfamiliar with the name, you will likely remember him as basketball prodigy/aspiring writer Jamal Wallace from 2000’s “Finding Forrester,” which was his first foray into acting, professional or otherwise. Part of why he is so believable in this role is that he played football himself at Amherst College and definitely has the “look,” both in-action and off the field. Rob’s everlasting smile is contagious and he manages to channel Davis’s attitude in his later years: playful and sweet, yes, but also willing to stand up for what he believed in. You are almost certain to get emotional when he accepts the Heisman, and if you don’t shed a tear then, you will minutes later when he delivers the news of his leukemia. It was said during the filming that some who knew Davis personally feared his on-screen portrayal may not capture his classy demeanor and approachability. I doubt they are concerned now: Rob makes Davis one of the most endearing characters you will see in a sports film, just the way it should be.
Once the film hits theaters this Friday, make sure to catch “The Express,” chronicling the life of the man who broke down barriers not only as an athlete but as an American. Before Archie Griffin, Herschel Walker, Bo Jackson, Reggie Bush and many other African Americans took the stage as Heisman Trophy winners, there was Ernie Davis.
And soon enough, you’ll be able to recite his story too.
Arapoglou can be reached at tarapoglou@scoreatl.com.
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