Football Legend Talks History in "The Express"

Faced with lack of historical sources for his biopic film, The Express, director Gary Fleder sought the help of African-American football hero Jim Brown, according to the Los Angeles Times. The Express tells the story of Ernie Davis, the first African-American to win the coveted Heisman Trophy and help lead his team to victory at the 1959 National Championships. "Jim gave me a strong point of view about Ernie and the challenges he had to go through. He knew firsthand what it was like to walk around on campus, what it was like to play in front of a hostile crowd at the Cotton Bowl when the South was still segregated," commented Fleder on Brown's influence in the film. Davis, the film's protagonist, who died of leukemia at the young age of 23, and his legendary coach, Ben Schwartzwalder, who passed in 1993, were unfortunately not present to comment on their amazing story and see it hit the big screen.

Brown, who has become a pioneer in the African-American community as a movie star and civil rights activist, also comments on the impact athletes have in today's culture and how nowadays, everything is about fame and fortune for these individuals. "Take Michael Jordan . . . he's full of bull. He's hiding his true self. All he cares about is getting ahead, being popular and enjoying the wealth of this country." The football legend makes a call for more positive impact from athletes and public figures.

The Express, based on the nonfiction book, Ernie Davis: The Elmira Express, by Robert C. Gallagher, stars Rob Brown and Dennis Quaid, and opens in theaters this Friday.