by Thomas Ferguson

I’m not the biggest sports fan in the world. It’s because of that handicap that I wasn’t too familiar with college football hero Ernie Davis’ inspirational, yet tragic story. Thanks to Universal’s new biopic The Express, all of us have the opportunity to find out what this brave young man went through and how he helped to change the face of college football.

Davis (Rob Brown) grew up in a working class household in Pennsylvania in the 1940’s.  As a child, he experienced several episodes of racism with the local kids, but that was nothing compared to what he would face later on in his life. He believed running was the only way to be safe. It was the only way for him to be free in a world of prejudice. He would run so fast that no one could catch him. He parlayed that skill into becoming an impressive football running back. He was a star player at a very young age and his popularity resulted in several colleges trying to recruit him.

Syracuse University became the lucky college and it just happened to be the alma mater of Ernie’s hero Jim Brown (Darrin DeWitt Henson). The tough as nails head coach, Ben Schwartzwalder, (Dennis Quaid) knows he has a rare jewel in Davis and does what he can to protect him from the harsh realities of life. Although his methods are a bit unorthodox, the coach's intentions are genuine. Before long, he becomes more than a coach, he becomes a mentor.

Ernie almost single handedly led Syracuse to the 1959 Cotton Bowl. He also became the MVP of the game, despite personal attacks from the opposing team members and racial hostility from the fans. He eventually becomes the first African-American to win the coveted Heisman Trophy.

His story is finally getting the Hollywood treatment. The Express is your standard sports biopic. All the elements are there. There are laughs, tears (well, there is supposed to be), and great football action. Not that I wasn’t moved by his story, I just found myself sitting there rarely getting emotional. I don’t know if it was because I was in one of those “blah” moods or if I’ve just become desensitized to these types of films. I think it’s more the latter.

I found this movie nothing more than a history lesson. I learned about a great American who suffered, but changed lives. The performances were all great and the script was structurally sound. Basically, The Express tells a solid story that satisfies on all cinematic levels.