By Toni Cicone
See the issue: September 2008

The Express
If you think athletes don’t influence the wider world, you don’t know the Ernie Davis story. As the first black man to win the Heisman Trophy, at a time when racial tensions divided the nation, Davis changed people’s perceptions about race and equality. Check out the details of this upcoming inspirational flick.

Release Date: Oct. 3 [Universal Studios]
Starring: Rob Brown, Dennis Quaid
Rated: PG
Overview: In 1959, one year after Syracuse University running back Jim Brown lost the Heisman Trophy, many believe because of his race, Ernie Davis [Rob Brown], another African-American running back, took the field for the Orangemen. Playing under legendary Syracuse coach Ben Schwartzwalder [Dennis Quaid], Davis, nicknamed the “Elmira Express,” trampled both records and racial barriers, becoming one of the most loved and hated of men. Hailed for his athletic ability and harassed for his skin color, the two-time MVP never let the prejudice of a nation stop him from achieving his goals—and he made history doing so.

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