Ernie Davis, the Elmira Express: The Story of a Heisman Trophy Winner

The book "The Express: the Ernie Davis Story" by Robert C. Gallagher is one of the most heart shifting stories and it will definately change your outlook on sports, and how Ernie Davis affected sports today. Published Book Review:"Ernie Davis was an All American 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 sophmore he led his team to an undefeated season and a national championship 1959. he earned his nickname "The Elmira Express". Two seasons later, Davis has broken the legedary Jim Browns rushing records and became the first black athlete to be awarded the Heisman Trophy. The number one pick in the 1962 draft, Davis signed a contract with the Cleveland Browns and seemed to be headed for professional stardom. But Davis never played in the NFL:He was diagnosed with leukemia the summer before his rookie season and succumbed to the disease less than a year later. In battling his illness, Davis showed great dignity and courage, inspired the nation, and moved President John F. Kennedy to eulogize him as an outstanding man of great character. An enduring story of a true scholar athlete, "The Express" is a touching, impeccably researched, deeply personal portrait of Ernie Davis, and a vivid look at a sport in America at the dawn of the Civil Rights era." This sports action book is about an African american boy who grew up in Elmira, New York with his mom and his grandfather and grew up watching african-american sports idols like Jackie Robinson and Jim Brown and he was inspired. When Ernie Davis was 10 years old he started playing pop warner football and kids would call him racist names and such except when he touched a football he showed them wrong. Ernie began to catch lots of college scouts eyes and he started getting offers to lots of lots of colleges. he eventually accepted and offer from Syracuse university where he set tons of college records. Then he went on to the pros and signed with The Cleveland Browns but didn't play a single game in the NFL. He was diagnosed with leukimia which didnt let him play and he eventually died. The main characters in this book are Ernie's mom, his SU coach ,and his grandfather who inspired Ernie and eventually died. I strongly recommend this to sports fans and to people who are interested in the Civil Rights era.

The book made into the recent movie is a nicely written, easy read of this great football player, and human being, as well as the good people around him, including some of those in Elmira, Syracuse and Cleveland.

Superbly written biography of Ernie Davis, a true hero whose story has been overlooked for far too long. Gallagher's obvious admiration for Davis shines through in a comprehensive, well-written and inspiring account of his (much too short) life!

I saw the movie first and knew that some of the facts in the movie were not quite correct. After reading the book, I was more impressed with Ernie Davis,the man, than the man featured in the movie. The book was excellent and Ernie Davis was a great man even in his short life.

Now the subject of a major motion film about the first African-American to win the Heisman trophy. Ernie Davies was a pioneer in his 23 years of life and one of the first to pave the way for African-Americans in professional sports. Its heartbreaking and heartwarming about a young man who had to fight against the disgusting and despicable ignorance of racism and discrimmination. This was quite a feat in pre-Civil Rights America. A great tale to read when you think about how we take for granted stars such as Shaquille O'Neal, Tiger Woods, and other modern day sports icons. Ernie Davies was taken too young but thankfully he is not forgotten. Hopefully Rev. Martin Luther King's anthem of We Shall Overcome has passed when reading this story in retrospect.