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New Film Tells Story of the First Black Heisman Trophy Winner
12-Oct-2008
Written by: Mic Mell
“The Express” tells the inspirational story of Ernie Davis, the first African-American to win the Heisman Trophy.
The Erie Times reports that Syracuse University was buzzing with life last month as several football alumni gathered to celebrate the life of Ernie Davis.
During his time at Syracuse, Davis led the Orangemen to a national championship, and won the coveted Heisman as a running back. He was drafted by the Cleveland Browns, but never made it to the pros, as his life was cut short by leukemia.
The film opened nationally last week, and uses Davis's participation in football as a vehicle for a powerful story of triumph in the civil rights battle of the 1960s.
While Hollywood loosens some of the facts to weave a great tale, the basis of the story is true to life. Davis led Syracuse to the National Championship, and was named MVP of the Cotton Bowl. After the game, the entire team left in protest of the racism in Dallas hotels and even during the post-game dinner banquet.
The movie is startlingly accurate about the last few months of Davis's life, as he battled his leukemia, and still fought to live. This film is an inspirational story of one man's quest to live his dreams in the civil rights era, and his unwillingness to give up in the face of death.
Talk to other readers about this story.
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