Tagline: He changed our country… One yard at a time.
The life story Ernie Davis, the first black player to win the Heisman Trophy, whose NFL career was cut short by leukemia. Based on a true story, The Express follows the extraordinary life of college football hero Ernie Davis (Rob Brown), the first African-American to win the Heisman Trophy. His fight for equality and respect forever changed the face of American sports, and his story continues to inspire new generations.
Raised in poverty in Pennsylvania coal-mining country, Davis hurdled social and economic obstacles to become one of the greatest running backs in college football history. Under the guidance of legendary Syracuse coach Ben Schwartzwalder (Dennis Quaid), he became a hero who superseded Jim Brown’s achievements and set records that stand to this day.
Decorated veteran Schwartzwalder was a Southerner with a single vision of a national championship and hardened ideas about how the world worked. But though he and Davis clashed mightily, he taught the player everything he knew about football, just as Davis helped him learn the true meaning of victory.
As the growing civil rights movement divided the country in the ’60s, Davis became a symbol for achievement that transcended race. Refusing to flinch from others’ prejudices, he achieved all his goals-until he faced a challenge that would make most men crumble. He joined the ranks of black pioneers by teaching a generation tolerance, inspiring a movement that smashed barriers on and off the field.
Production notes provided by Universal Pictures.
The Express
Starring: Dennis Quaid, Rob Brown, Omar Benson Miller, Clancy Brown, Charles S. Dutton
Directed by: Gary Fleder
Screenplay by: Scott Williams, Jeffrey Lieber
Release Date: October 10, 2008
MPAA Rating: PG-13 thematic material and language involving racism, and for brief sensuality.
Studio: Universal Pictures
Box Office Totals
Domestic: $9,793,406 (99.8%)
Foreign: $14,718 (0.2%)
Total: $9,808,124 (Worldwide)