Gallagher which was originally published on june 1st, 1999. The book is a biography about a very talented football player named. Following his draft by the nfl, tragedy struck the star athlete and he was never able to take the professional field. Rob brown plays ernie davis, while dennis quaid lends a supporting role as coach ben schwartzwalder. Ernie davis was an all american running back for syracuse university. The express is the story of ernie davis, the 1961 heisman trophy winning running back from syracuse. Download ernie davis the elmira express book pdf epub mobi. He works for the fairfax county public library in virginia. The ernie davis story, directed by gary fleder and based on the nonfiction book the elmira express. And it is a tale of unusual courage in facing a grave illness. As a sophomore, the allamerican gridiron legend from elmira, ny, led his syracuse university football team to an undefeated season and 1959 national championship. Oct 28, 2008 however, with the publication of ernie davis. Here, in this special anniversary edition, is the original, enduring story of ernie davis as told by those who were closest to him. The ernie davis story, which was turned into a major motion picture.
Music from the film the express,composed by mark isham. Davis is the best running back you have probably never heard of. Known simply as, the express for his punishing strength to run over wouldbe tacklers combined with elite topend speed to run away from pursuing defenders. He led his college football team to an undefeated season and a national championship. How the express fumbled real ernie davis story syracuse. The ernie davis story 9780345510860 by gallagher, robert c. Universal pictures made a film the express on the same book which began production on april. Better known as the elmira express, ernie was the first black heisman trophy winner back in 1961 for syracuse university. The express 2008 cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. Universal pictures made a film the express on the same book which began production on april, 2007 and was released on october 10th, 2008. Gallaghers definitive biography is a story of outstanding athletic achievement and greatness.
Ernie davis was an allamerican on the gridiron and a man of integrity off the field. On may 18, 1963, ernie the elmira express davis died. Ernie davis gravesite the express, statue, elmira express. He was drafted by the cleveland browns, but never played a down in the nfl because he was diagnosed with leukemia soon after. The process of taking this nonfiction biography and creating from it a. His articles have appeared in baseball digest, the washington post, the redskins report, and other publications.
The ernie davis story is a 2008 american sports film produced by john davis and directed by gary fleder. The express the ernie davis story seymour public library. It is directed by gary fleder, produced by john davis, and based on the screenplay by charles leavitt. Ernie davis was an allamerican on the gridiron, and a man of integrity off the field. A multisport high school star in elmira, new york, davis went on to syracuse university, where as a sophomore he led his team to an undefeated season and a national championship in 1959, and earned his nickname, the elmira express. Here was a young man who came from a broken home and a life of poverty, and through hard work, commitment to excellence and strength of character became the best in his sport, receiving college footballs highest honorthe heisman trophy. A multisport high school star in elmira, new york, davis went on to syracuse. Ernie davis the elmira express written by robert c. The elmira express it is here for all of us to savor. Dubbed the elmira express for his tireless drive, trailblazer ernie davis also lived up to the title off the field fighting for racial equality. An enduring story of a true scholarathlete, the express is a touching, impeccably researched, deeply personal portrait of ernie davis and a vivid look at sport in america at the dawn of the civil rights era. The ernie davis story the express is an awesome book written about the career of ernie davis and all of the hardships he faced on his journey to the nfl.
Based on the incredible true story, the express follows the inspirational life of college football hero ernie davis rob brown, the first africanamerican to win the heisman trophy. The movie may make for good family viewing, but this book explains the true story of just how brave, unselfish and caring this young man was, right up until his death. An enduring story of a true scholarathlete, the express is a touching, impeccably researched, deeply personal portrait of ernie davis, and a vivid look at sport in america at the dawn of the civil rights era. Dutton willie pops davis written by charles leavitt based on the book ernie davis. The express is involving and inspiring in the way a good movie about sports almost always is. It is the basis for the upcoming movie of the same name and has been updated to coincide with its release. Book overview he could do it all, beat every opponent. The story of a heisman trophy winner was written by robert c. Ernie davis was an exceptionally gifted running back at the collegiate level for syracuse university from 1958 1961. Ernie davis omar benson miller jack buckley aunjanue ellis marie davis clancy brown roy simmons darrin dewitt henson jim brown saul rubinek art modell nelsan ellis will davis, jr. Brown, an africanamerican, said he never experienced a regular season crowd or game like that during his time at su. Gallagher, is the book upon which the movie the express. The story of unusual courage in facing a grave illness.
Rising from the humblest of beginnings, ernie davis rob brown overcame impossible odds to become the first africanamerican to win college footballs greatest honor the heisman trophy. The elmira express by charles gallagher directed by gary fleder. The storyline was conceived from a screenplay written by charles leavitt from a book titled ernie davis. Davis never said much, but he led by action, and made change through action.
The express the story of ernie davis the sporting blog. Jun 20, 2020 universal pictures made a film the express on the same book which began. Schwartzwalder recruits davis with the help of allamerican running back, jim brown. The storyline was conceived from a screenplay written by charles leavitt from a 1983 book ernie davis. Gallagher, published by anonim which was released on 06 april 2021. He was the college and high school running back that was destined for stardom until his life. A multisport high school star in elmira, new york, davis went on to syracuse university, where as a sophomore he led his team to an undefeated season and a national championship in 1959, and earned his nickname. The film is based on the life of syracuse university football player ernie davis, the first african american to win the heisman trophy, portrayed by actor rob brown. The basis for the universal pictures film the express, robert c. The elmira express, ernie davis stmu history media. The process of taking this nonfiction biography and creating from it a feature film requires adaptation.
The ernie davis story is a very fascinating book written by robert c. Witness the inspirational true story of a real american hero. Presents the life and career of the legendary football star who broke jim browns rushing records and became the first black athlete to win the heisman trophy, highlighting his. A drama based on the life of college football hero ernie davis, the first africanamerican to win the heisman trophy. Gallagher, began production in april 2007 and was released on october 10, 2008. His articles have appeared in baseball digest, the washington post, the redskins report. The formula is basic and durable, and when you hitch it to a good story, you can hardly fail. The ernie davis storyand millions of other books are available for amazon kindle. Nor is there mention of any west virginia ruckus in robert c. Most of all, the story of a remarkable human being, who. The elmira express on which the movie, the express, is based may not be the most literary piece of work ever written, but it the real story of ernie davis legacy.
Starring dennis quaid as the hardnosed coach that helped drive him to greatness, the express is a powerful story of triumph on and off the. The story of a heisman trophy winner 9780910155755. Gary fleder does more than that in telling the story of ernie davis the elmira express, the running back for syracuse who became the first africanamerican to win the heisman trophy, in 1961. Aug 17, 2020 the 2008 universal pictures film the express. This channel was generated automatically by youtube s video discovery system. Ernie davis, american collegiate gridiron football player who was the first african american to win the heisman trophy. An enduring story of a true scholarathlete, the express is a touching, impeccably researched, deeply personal portrait of ernie davis, and a vivid look at sport in america at the dawn of the civil. About the express he could do it all, beat every opponent. Sep 02, 2008 gallagher is the author of the express. The express is a biopic movie that focuses on the life of ernie davis, the first africanamerican athlete who received the muchcoveted heisman trophy. Ernest davis december 14, 1939 may 18, 1963 was an american football player, a halfback who won the heisman trophy in 1961 and was its first africanamer. The ernie davis story, based on the nonfiction book ernie davis.
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