The Express - The Ernie Davis Story (The Express)

21 straight lines, five yards apart,

that's a football field.

But there are other lines, ones you don't see,

that run deeper and wider, all the way through a country,

and aren't part of any game.

Strong load right, 42 shovel pass. On one. On one.

Ready? Break!

Whiskey, whiskey, 33!

Been waiting for this, spook.

I'm gonna kick your black ass back to Africa, boy.

I found another Pepsi.

Pepsi Cola hits the spot

12 full ounces, that's a lot 12 full ounces, that's a lot

Twice as much for a nickel, too Twice as much for a nickel, too

Pepsi Cola is the drink for you Pepsi Cola is the drink for you

America has been riding the crest of a wave of a peaceful prosperity.

I believe in this world to come.

/ think it's going to be a pretty good one.

"When you say 'Budweiser,'

"you've said it all." "You've said it all."

What are you boys doing north of Union Street?

One of you better answer.

Just collecting bottles.

These are our bottles up here.

Hey, guys!

Ain't but one thing to do here.

Ernie, you listening to me?

Ernie, now!

Ernie!

Ernie! Ernie!

This one must be stupid.

I'll tell you what, you give us those bottles

and we won't kick your black ass.

Got something to say?

No!

What?

Not only stupid, but retarded.

And a nigger, how sad is that?

Look, you've got three seconds to drop those bottles.

One,

two,

three!

Get him. Get him.

Dear Mr. Martin, it feels strange to write about my life.

/ can't tell you the exact moment I knew what it was I wanted to be

or how I wanted to make my mark.

Maybe it just felt real good to run,

or maybe one day, out of the corner of my eye,

/ saw tacklers reaching out for me and dropping behind.

Back in 1949, at the age of 10, one thing I did know was,

/ sure didn't want to be remembered for running too slow.

People in town would always ask, "What you running from?"

Hey, Will!

/ didn't know then what I know now,

that I wasn't running from, I was running to.

After dinner we gonna have an ice cream eating contest.

What do you say about that?

Yeah, I like it.

Okay.

First Corinthians 15:10.

Ernie.

Yes, Grandpa.

Why don't you read tonight?

You can do it.

"But

"by the..."

Ernie, take a deep breath.

Okay, now try it again.

"But by the

"grace of God I am what I am.

"And his grace...

"His grace...

"...which was bestowed..."

"...which was bestowed upon me

"was not in vain."

"But I labored more abundantly than they all,

"yet not I,

"but the grace of God which was with me."

The words, I know they're in there

but they don't come out straight all the time.

That'll bring Jackie Robinson up.

He's wearing a Brooklyn Dodgers uniform.

He's Negro and he's playing for the Brooklyn Dodgers?

That's right, boys. That there is Jackie Robinson.

The windup and the delivery.

And the drive deep into left field. And it's a home run!

Jackie Robinson with a home run, his 12th of the year,

and the crowd roars at Ebbets Field.

Now what? You gonna stare at it all night?

This here is a man who's doing a lot

without saying nothing.

Hey! Hey, Ernie.

Ernie!

Mama?

Mama!

It's great to have you back!

So you still got that Chevy? And what year is that?

It's a '39, and you, too, Mama.

A '39 Chevy.

So, Marie, you have some news for us?

Yes, sir. Mama, Daddy,

Ernie, I got married again.

To a very nice man.

The main thing is I can support you now, baby.

I want you to come back and live with me in Elmira.

How far away is Elmira?

It's not far at all, baby. It's just a few hours away.

I think you'll like it.

You gonna love it, baby.

Bye, Will.

Bye, Ernie.

So, I'll see you soon.

Come on, boys. Line up! Line up! I got some new jerseys here for you.

Wait till you see these.

Here you go, Mike, Aaron, Nick.

Patrick, there's one for you.

You been waiting for these, I know it. Here you go, Peewee. Put it on.

Uh...

I'm sorry, boys. That's all there are.

Don't worry. The other team won't have any trouble recognizing you.

Come on! Huddle!

Reggie!

Davis.

Just give him the ball.

Ready? Ready!

Break!

Ready!

Hike!

That your son?

Yes. Yes, it is.

Al Malette, Elmira Star-Gazette.

What's his name?

Ernie. His name is Ernie Davis.

Ernie Davis.

Break!

So you're the man who owns Jim Brown.

I own the team. He's his own man. Hey, Jim!

I think you've done enough of that.

Mr. Modell, just a few more?

This is the last time he's gonna be on this field.

You've got plenty, Rex. Boys, thank you very much.

That's good, we got it. Jim, come over here.

All right, fellas. Take a couple like this.

Nice big smile, Jim.

Hey, Jim, you think you're ready?

Right here, Jim, look here. Right here...

So Jim Brown's gonna be wearing a Cleveland Browns jersey.

How's it feel?

It feels right.

Jim? Right here, Jim.

Dan Boyle, Chicago Sun.

You had a terrific year here at Syracuse, Jim.

Seven yards a carry, broke records, took your team to the Cotton Bowl,

number one draft choice, signed a big contract.

I'm guessing you're pretty happy with the way things turned out.

I could be happier. You left something out.

You talking about the Heisman Trophy, Jim?

I didn't win that. Actually, no Negro has ever won it.

And you're saying you should have?

Now, if I say that

the papers tomorrow will tell the story of the angry Negro

who doesn't know his place.

I know my place, gentlemen.

It just may not be where you like it.

Next question.

Hey, Coach. Coach, let me ask you something.

How do you ever expect to replace Jimmy Brown?

Glen Boyd, Cedar Rapids High. Team won state.

He has a C average but a tested IQ of 120.

That means he's lazy.

Ben, the kid has a five-yard average.

I don't care. He's lazy. I don't want him.

Next! Wally Purdue,

Bridgeport Academy, six varsity letters.

He's healing from an ankle fracture but...

But bullshit!

Anybody else? Maybe someone who isn't hurt or lazy?

Isn't there a kid from Elmira?

Yeah, Ernie Davis. Elmira Free Academy.

Running back, 1,300 yards on 179 carries.

Led his team to a state championship. Why the hell didn't we look at him first?

Well, he's a Negro boy, Ben.

Is this a new trend, or is it just my luck?

It's a new trend.

He might remind you of somebody we know.

Too old to butt heads with another Jim Brown.

Roll it.

There he is on the left, number 55.

Right now, he's... Now watch him here.

He breaks through both tackles and look at that, into the secondary.

There he goes, 30-yard line,

40-yard line, 50,

40, 30, 20, 10.

Touchdown. Wow!

He have any offers yet?

About 50.