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The Express is more than just another football story. It’s also a civil rights history lesson. Roughly ten years before my time in America, one young black man became a symbol for a country struggling to move past its long-held views on people of color. His unprecedented journey unfolded as he shattered not only sports records, but also perceptions of what was possible for an African-American at the time. His name was Ernie Davis, but his fans knew him better as “The Elmira Express.”

Based on a true story, The Express, which I was invited to a special advance screening of earlier this week, follows the extraordinary life of college football star Ernie Davis (played brilliantly by Rob Brown), the first African-American to win the Heisman Trophy, college football’s highest individual honor. His quiet (and I emphasize quiet because Ernie was a polite gentleman) fight for equality and respect forever changed the face of the game of football. And his civil rights story continues to inspire new generations. President John F. Kennedy said of Ernie: “He was an outstanding young man of great character who served — and my hope is, will continue to serve — as an inspiration to the young people of this country.”

© 2008 Universal Studios

Under the guidance of legendary Syracuse University football coach Ben Schwartzwalder (”no stranger to football movies” actor Dennis Quaid handles the role masterfully), Ernie is a raw talent who needs guidance. Coach Schwartzwalder provides the disciplinarian coaching but does his own share of learning from Ernie as he watches his incredible story unfold. Despite nurturing three All-American black football players on his teams, coach Schwartzwalder was not exactly a poster child for civil rights and he kept himself distanced from the black players. Ernie would change not only a culture, he would change his head football coach and ease their social and racial differences.

Ernie Davis was a black man at a college where there were maybe two other black men playing football. It was a time of racial segregation. But if you went down to play football against colleges in the south (as Ernie would do in MVP fashion at the 1959 Cotton Bowl in Dallas), there were no black players. Even water fountains were separate — one for whites and one for blacks. As much as I have known a time like this existed, it still registers as unfathomable to me. But Ernie’s was a great story in this time. He could live in the black world and the white world pretty seamlessly. He didn’t threaten people. He had a gift of getting along with everyone — a kind of peacemaker. But the south sure didn’t want him playing football in their stadiums. Racist fans would scream their protests and throw beer cans in disgust.

© 2008 Universal Studios

I found it interesting that The Express was shot primarily in and around Chicago. A total of seven different stadiums were used to represent the 12 in the movie. The end result is 1960s Syracuse — its stadiums and its architecture. The attention to period film details is impressive. In fact, take a close look at coach Schwartzwalder’s desk. The little pint milk carton from the university and the Saltine Warrior Bank add a regional flavor to the movie. You’ll also notice distinct “visual acts” to the film — from quasi black-and-white, to vibrant colors, to an almost bleach-bypass type of approach with extreme contrasts. It’s impressive. So are the older materials and styles of the football jerseys. There are no Nike or Under Armour logos.

Ernie would never make it beyond college football. We already know his ending so there aren’t any surprises here. Sadly, he would die from complications due to acute myelogenous leukemia before he would ever play a down of professional football. What an amazing NFL player Ernie would’ve been. As tragic as that is, thankfully his important contributions to society and the game of football will be remembered forever. This is an important movie that can serve as an education and inspiration for all people — no matter who you are or where you’re from in life. It’s also a movie about accepting yourself no matter who you are. What Ernie Davis came to understand was that he could find meaning — even in a short life — and make a big contribution outside of that. We can learn a lot from Ernie’s story. The Express opens in theaters nationwide today.

TheExpressMovie.com, PG, 2 hours 9 minutes
Click here to check out the trailer.

Don’t forget to enter The Express contest/giveaway, if you haven’t already. I’ve got tees, caps, mini footballs and a duffel bag to unload. Today is the last day to enter. You have until midnight ET. The winning names will be drawn Saturday and I’ll announce them as a final comment on that post.

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Movie Review: ‘The Express’

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I’m off to see an advance screening of “The Express” tonight. I’ll have a review up before the movie opens nationwide this Friday. In the meantime, here’s the “official theatrical trailer,” as they say. And don’t forget to enter the contest/giveaway. I’ve got tees, caps, mini footballs and a duffel bag to unload. The winning names will be drawn Saturday.

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‘The Express’ Movie Trailer, Contest Reminder

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The latest football movie is called The Express, a drama based on the life of college football hero Ernie Davis, the first African-American to win the Heisman Trophy. To celebrate the release of the film, my friends at Universal Pictures sent a couple boxes of swag and I want to give this stuff to you — tees, caps, mini footballs and the grand prize old school duffel bag.

Here’s the deal. There will be five winners. Four winners will receive a t-shirt, cap and mini football. The grand prize winner will receive the same plus the duffle bag. To enter, simply comment on this post on or before October 10, the day The Express hits theaters nationwide. You must have a valid email address in order for me to reach you. On October 11, I’ll draw the names. Once I’ve drawn the names, I’ll contact you to let you know you’ve won.

Note: I have to moderate all the comments (aka your entry for this contest) so don’t be alarmed if you don’t see your comment right away. Please allow up to 24 hours for your comment to appear. Thanks.

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Free Stuff: ‘The Express’ Movie Giveaway

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When I was pumping Leatherheads back in March and April, my friends at Universal Pictures gave me the heads up on another football movie, The Express, due out October 3. Here’s an early trailer. Based on a true story, The Express follows the extraordinary life of college football hero Ernie Davis, 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. Much more in the coming weeks.

Source: The ExpressMovie.com

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

‘The Express’ Movie Trailer