Willingham, Robinson on hot seat Oct 10, 2008
The school has produced Floyd Little, Jim Brown, and the late Ernie Davis, who will be honored and remembered with a movie that will be released today. But it's gotten so bad at the school that the fans who do show up at the Carrier Dome generally leave by halftime. (Boston Globe -- Sports)
Sox-Rays to be compelling tale Oct 10, 2008
"The Express," the story of Ernie Davis, the first African-American Heisman Trophy winner, who died at age 23 from leukemia, is opening today at theaters, starring Dennis Quaid. "It's really a great story, very emotional," said Quaid, who said he was taken by the script and has vivid memories of the inequality of the era during his years growing up in Houston. (Boston Globe -- Sports)
The Express finds inspiration in Ernie Davis biography Oct 10, 2008
Friday 10 October, 2008. Victory in the big game. (Hillsdale Independent, NY)
Ernie Davis story will reach the masses Oct 8, 2008
His tale of triumph and tragedy is one of the most inspirational and tear-jerking stories in American sports history, yet Ernie Davis remains relatively unknown to most sports fans born in the past 40 years ... Jim Brown discusses Ernie Davis' career and being up front with Davis during the recruiting process when Davis was considering Syracuse ... "I was beginning to worry because a lot of kids don't even know who Walter Payton was, and he came 30-40 years after Ernie Davis," said John Brown,... (Richmond Sports -- Rivals.com)
Release of Universal Film The Express Draws Attention to Tragedy of Lives Cut Short by Blood Cancer Oct 7, 2008
Rob Brown, Starring as Football Hero and Leukemia Victim Ernie Davis, Is Spokesperson for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's 2008 Light The Night(R) Walk. WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., Oct. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Ernie Davis, a 1960s football hero who was the first African-American to win the Heisman Trophy, is the subject of the new film from Universal Pictures, The Express, coming to theaters Friday, Oct. 10 ... Ernie Davis is played by Rob Brown, the spokesperson for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS)... (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
Gospel choirs go for the glory Oct 6, 2008
The lead Screens story this week focuses on "The Express," a biopic about Ernie Davis, the first African American to win the Heisman Trophy. Leba Hertz interviews star Rob Brown, lists some other worthy films dealing with college football and cites some A-list players who didn't win the trophy and some winners who parlayed their victories into Hollywood connections. (San Francisco Chronicle)
A Heisman Winner Oct 5, 2008
Ernie Davis, first black Heisman winner. Article:Ernie Davis, first black Heisman winner:/c/a/2008/10/03/PKJ512JJAL.DTL Article:Ernie Davis, first black Heisman winner:/c/a/2008/10/03/PKJ512JJAL.DTL ... Ernie Davis, first black Heisman winner. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Entertainment)
On Deck: Oct. 6 - 12 (Today) Oct 5, 2008
At the theater: "The Express" -- the story of Ernie Davis, the first black player to win the Heisman in 1961 -- opens, as they say, in a theater near you. Did you know: Davis was also the first black player taken No. 1 overall in the NFL draft when taken by Washington (1962). (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA -- Sports)
Syracuse coach Robinson not cutting it, AD says Sep 24, 2008
On Sept. 12, "The Express", a film about the late Ernie Davis, the Orange running back who in 1961 became the first African-American to win the Heisman Trophy, premiered in Syracuse. The following day, Syracuse's former archrival, Penn State, defeated the Orange 55-13 at the Carrier Dome. (ESPN -- College Football News)
An ace of an actor Sep 24, 2008
It's a heart-tugging, inspirational true story following the life of college football star Ernie Davis, who fought a quiet battle for equality and respect in becoming the first African-American to win the Heisman Trophy in 1961. Quaid portrays Ben Schwartzwalder, Davis' coach at Syracuse University, when the growing civil rights movement was dividing the nation. (AZCentral -- Sports)
Campus Briefs Sep 22, 2008
The construction of the new residence hall - recently named the "Ernie Davis Hall" in an announcement by Chancellor Nancy Cantor on Sept. 14 - caused the closure to take place. The north- and south-bound lanes of Comstock Avenue between Waverly Avenue and University Place will be closed, enforced by barriers installed on site to notify oncoming traffic. (Daily Orange, NY)
What a relief Sep 22, 2008
Never mind that Syracuse, the school of Jim Brown and Ernie Davis, was playing Northeastern, a Division I-AA program that was nearly axed last year by its own athletic department. Never mind that the Orange led by just three at halftime. (Daily Orange, NY)
Orange look to tame Huskies Sep 20, 2008
SU has managed to botch most everything recently, be it holding onto Greg Robinson as coach far too long or somehow including Nike product placement on the Ernie Davis statue. Sweep all the negativity aside though and you should expect to see an entertaining football game this weekend. (CuseJuice.com)
Cheers and Jeers Sep 20, 2008
Ernie Davis Statue FakeryJEER: The latest in a long, long string of bad things to come from Syracuse University's football department, the new Ernie Davis statue that was unveiled during "The Express" extravaganza weekend was sporting a little bit of the swoosh. The Nike swoosh, that is. (Daily Orange, NY)
Sculpture's swoosh soon will be squashed Sep 18, 2008
Ernie Davis never wore Nikes, until now. A new statue of the first black player to win the Heisman Trophy depicts him in modern-day football gear including Nike cleats. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Sports)
Oops! Statue of Ernie Davis has modern gear Sep 18, 2008
Statue of Ernie Davis has modern gear - NCAA Football - SI.com ... A statue of Syracuse legend Ernie Davis has the player wearing Nikes ... SYRACUSE, N.Y. (AP) -- Ernie Davis never wore Nikes, until now. (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- NCAA Football)
Statue oops: 1961 football star has Nikes Sep 18, 2008
Syracuse statue faux pas: Ernie Davis wore Nikes ... Syracuse statue faux pas: Ernie Davis wore Nikes ... SYRACUSE, N.Y. Ernie Davis never wore Nikes, until now. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
Dennis Quaid returns to the gridiron Sep 18, 2008
With football on his mind, he s in town to promote his latest movie, about the first African-American Heisman Trophy winner, Ernie Davis, and hard-driven Syracuse University coach Ben Schwartzwalder. It s set in the late 1950s and early 60s. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
Movie star visits Falcons' practice Sep 18, 2008
Quaid plays coach Ben Schwartzwalder in The Express, a film about legendary Syracuse running back Ernie Davis that comes out Friday. Hyosub Shin / hshin@ajc. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Sports)
CAMPUS CLICKS: USC's tailgating fun; Simmer down, coach Sep 18, 2008
Had Syracuse-legend Ernie Davis been born a few decades later, shoe company endorsement offers would have come fast and furious. Since he died in 1963, however, it's a little strange that a recently unveiled statue of Davis, the first African American to win the Heisman, (the swoosh, for the record, first entered our lives in 1971) on his shoe. (SportsIllustrated.CNN)
Ernie Davis wore Nikes? Not! Sep 18, 2008
Ernie Davis wore Nikes ... SYRACUSE, N.Y. - Ernie Davis never wore Nikes, until now. (Muscatine Journal, IO)
Downtown to host cancer walk Sep 18, 2008
This is a special year for the event, Stivenson said, because of the Ernie Davis movie, "The Express," and its surrounding events. Davis died at age 23 after losing his battle to leukemia. (Daily Orange, NY)
Nittany Lions put a hurting on Orange Sep 16, 2008
The highlight of the day came over two hours before kickoff when the Ernie Davis statue was unveiled just outside of the Carrier Dome ... The highlight of the day came over two hours before kickoff when the Ernie Davis statue was unveiled just outside of the Carrier Dome. (CuseJuice.com)
New dorm will be 'Ernie Davis Hall' Sep 15, 2008
New dorm will be 'Ernie Davis Hall ... As part of the ceremony unveiling the Bruno Lucchesi statue of Ernie Davis on the Quad before Saturday's game against Penn State, Syracuse University chancellor Nancy Cantor had a little addition to the event a new dorm going up next to Dellplain on the corner of Comstock and Wavery will be named Ernie Davis Hall. (Syracuse.com)
Not much for Orange to get excited about Sep 15, 2008
The premiere of The Express, the film version of Heisman winner Ernie Davis life, was the buzz of Syracuse on a soggy start to the weekend. News stations were going live for hours interviewing anybody and everybody in a Hollywood-style, and well-deserved, open to the movie. (Carlisle Sentinel, PA)
Jury still out on big-name schools Sep 15, 2008
come back to town for the Ernie Davis movie opening, and how inspired are the current Orange. They're outgained by Penn State 191-5 in the first quarter. (USA Today -- Sports)
Steelers Notebook: Ward on pace for a big season (Today) Sep 15, 2008
" In honor of a pioneer McKeesport native Ross Fichtner, father of Steelers wide receivers coach Randy Fichtner, was part of a pregame jersey presentation last night with some of his former Browns teammates to honor the late Ernie Davis. Davis became the first black player to win the Heisman Trophy in 1961, and was a 1962 first-round draft choice of the Washington Redskins, who quickly traded him to the Cleveland Browns. He never got to play in the NFL, however. He was diagnosed with leukemia in... (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA -- Sports)
Ernie Davis statue unveiled at Syracuse Sep 14, 2008
SYRACUSE Syracuse University unveiled a statue of former Orange running back Ernie Davis on Saturday, a day after the world premiere of a movie about his amazing life ... Thank you Ernie Davis, thank you Ben Schwartzwalder, said Quaid, who along with Brown was an honorary captain for the game. (Auburn Citizen, NY)
Lucian's short-lived defensive debut Sep 14, 2008
Honorary captains for Saturdays game included former Orange star Floyd Little, as well as actors Dennis Quaid and Rob Brown stars of the new movie The Express, a film version of the life of former Orange Heisman Trophy winner Ernie Davis. The movie premiered Friday night at the Landmark Theater in downtown Syracuse and former players such as Little, Jim Brown and Don McPherson attended the event, held on the Orange Carpet. (Carlisle Sentinel, PA)
SU, Penn State renew rivalry Sep 13, 2008
And Ernie Davis was a class kid. On Saturday, a series that began when Warren Harding was in the White House gets rekindled when Paterno and his Nittany Lions visit the Orange. (Auburn Citizen, NY)
State of the SU Football Program Address Sep 13, 2008
A grand opening gala for The Express, a movie about former SU legend Ernie Davis, is scheduled for tonight at the Landmark Theater in downtown Syracuse. This is by far the most significant story involving SU football in quite some time, and may perhaps be the only one that gives Cuse fans any reason to cheer this year. (CuseJuice.com)
Universal Studios president to speak on entertainment industry Sep 13, 2008
Meyer is visiting Syracuse for Universal's world premiere of "The Express," a biographical film about the life of SU running back Ernie Davis. Television, radio and film professor Richard Dubin has known Meyer since the early 1980s. (Daily Orange, NY)
Joe Paterno relives Syracuse rivalry Sep 13, 2008
On Ernie Davis and the premiere of "The Express:" "I was just telling these guys here Ernie Davis went to junior high in Uniontown (Pa.). I think he was on the same junior high team as Sandy Stephens and (same school as) the Muncie kids (Chuck Muncie). Oh, he was a great football player. "We've had some great football games with Syracuse through the years. And they've always had some great backs going back to Jimmy Brown. (Daily Orange, NY)
Get to know freshman wide receiver Marcus Sales Sep 13, 2008
On how much he knew about Ernie Davis before coming to Syracuse: "I didn't really know a lot about him. After I saw the movie, I learned everything about him and about the tradition and what 44 means to Syracuse.". On his favorite football movie: "'Remember the Titans.' I liked the way they came together as a team, and no matter what everybody else was saying about them, they came together as a team and responded to everything.". (Daily Orange, NY)
Listings | The Express Sep 13, 2008
What: Gala Premiere of "The Express"Where: Landmark Theatre, downtown SyracuseWhen: Friday at 7:30 p.m.Recounting the story of Syracuse University football great Ernie Davis - the first black player to win the Heisman Trophy. This tribute to the life and achievements of legendary Syracuse University running back Ernie Davis may not open nationwide until Oct. 10, but Friday night marks the world premiere of "The Express" - right here in Syracuse. (Daily Orange, NY)
PSU Game Preview Sep 12, 2008
Dennis Quad, who starred in the movie Any Given Sunday, is (you guessed it) also starring in The Express, the movie about Syracuse football legend Ernie Davis that premieres Friday night ... Channel the legend of Ernie Davis. (CuseJuice.com)
Clark picks up steam Sep 12, 2008
There's been a time when we played those guys 45 years straight and during that time, they had all these great running backs like Ernie Davis and Jim Czonka, Jim Brown and they're going to be amped up for this game ... Do you know about Ernie Davis and the movie. (Penn State Sports -- Rivals.com)
From the Football Field to the Movies Sep 12, 2008
Half a Century After His Tragic Death, Syracuse's Ernie Davis Makes the Big Screen ... Ernie Davis, halfback for Syracuse, holds the Heisman Memorial Trophy prior to official presentation to him in New York City on Dec. 6, 1961 ... It serves as a constant reminder of the legacy of Ernie Davis. (ABC News)
Big East: Week 3 Sep 11, 2008
com - Big East: Conference could face tough year. When the Big East fell, it fell hard. (Connecticut Sports -- Rivals.com)
A rivalry only in memory Sep 10, 2008
A movie called "The Express" documents the life of Ernie Davis, the 1961 Heisman Trophy winner from Syracuse, and premieres Friday. The next day the Orange renew a rivalry that was among college football's best in Davis' heyday. (Albany Times Union)
Complete Joe Paterno press conference transcript Sep 10, 2008
What kind of memories do you have of Ernie Davis. I was just telling these guys here that Ernie Davis went to junior high in Uniontown. (Penn State Sports -- Rivals.com)
PSU Football: Lions' vastly depleted defense is holding up despite juggling act Sep 10, 2008
Former Syracuse greats Jim Brown, Floyd Little and Art Monk will join players from the Orange's unbeaten 1959 national championship team who will be in Syracuse for the world premiere Friday of "The Express," a movie about legendary Heisman Trophy-winning running back Ernie Davis, who led that title team. Davis was raised by his grandparents in his early years in Uniontown. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA -- Sports)
Elmira Express Sep 10, 2008
The question causing a plethora of emotions: What does Ernie Davis mean to you ... Household names are common in Elmira, but Ernie Davis trumps them all ... "Mark Twain is always the big thing around here but as a youthful guy probably Ernie Davis is number one in my books," said Watts, 69, an Elmira resident her whole life. (Daily Orange, NY)
'Cuse's Robinson under more fire after 0-2 start Sep 9, 2008
On Friday, former Syracuse greats Jim Brown, Floyd Little and Art Monk, and at least 40 members of the unbeaten 1959 team that won the national championship are coming to town for the world premiere of "The Express", a movie about renowned Syracuse running back Ernie Davis, the star of that championship team who in 1961 became the first black to win the Heisman Trophy. If that's not enough, on Saturday Syracuse renews its rivalry with No. 17 Penn State (2-0), a team the Orange has played 68... (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- NCAA Football)
Akron zips Syracuse at Dome Sep 7, 2008
A main goal this season was to fix that, a source of embarrassment for a school with perhaps the greatest legacy in college football history at running back, with the likes of Jim Brown, Ernie Davis, Floyd Little, Jim Nance, Larry Csonka and Joe Morris among the greats who played the position. On this day, Curtis Brinkley and Delone Carter proved that that part of the Orange attack is finally intact again. (Auburn Citizen, NY)
Cheers & Jeers: $847K Grant helps SU community get off the Hill Sep 6, 2008
Jeer: Syracuse University and State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry students are eligible to win free tickets to the premiere of "The Express," a movie about SU football legend Ernie Davis. Although this may seem great and generous of the university, only 144 tickets are being given away, a relatively small amount compared to the thousands of students (potentially) looking forward to the event. (Daily Orange, NY)
Deacons Direct - Baylor Gameday Blog Aug 28, 2008
Tonight's flick is The Express, a drama based on the life of college football hero Ernie Davis, the first African-American to win the Heisman Trophy. Blogging the Baylor Trip - 11:30 a.m. With Wake Forest's first football game just a day away, we're set to launch another feature of Deacons Direct. (Wakeforestsports.com)
The most wonderful time of the year Aug 27, 2008
Rockne, Red Grange, Glen Davis and Doc Blanchard, Parseghian, JoPa, Ernie Davis, Staubach, Herschel Walker, Sammy Baugh, Doak Walker, Hayes and Schembechler. The ledger of the immortals is well nigh endless. (Southern Miss Sports -- Rivals.com)
Terps begin to implement Delawar... Aug 23, 2008
" Throughout the first three weeks of preseason practices, Maryland has answered a fair number of questions of its own, and several standout performers from camp continued to impress during Friday's 90-minute practice. Redshirt sophomore , who has used camp to cement himself as the No. 1 running back, broke through to the outside for another long gain. Across the line of scrimmage, senior , who during the off-season shifted from defensive end to defensive tackle, continued to serve as a menace... (Umterps.com)
Trailer treasures & trash Aug 2, 2008
The Express: The Ernie Davis Story. The trailer for this true story begins with the familiar voice of sportscaster Bob Costas saying, "In 1956, Syracuse University's Jim Brown was perhaps the best running back college football had ever seen. But he was unable to become the first African-American to win the Heisman Trophy. Some said if Brown couldn't do it, it might never happen. One year later, Ernie Davis took the field . . .". (Calgary Herald)
'Express' movie will premiere in Syracuse's Landmark Theater Jul 30, 2008
A legendary football talent and civil rights pioneer, Ernie Davis' story has long been a part of Syracuse lore ... "We intend to embrace this extraordinary moment to honor the legacy of Ernie Davis and provide a unique, star-studded showcase to launch this extraordinary film. Ernie is the most endearing icon we have in a storied football program so rich in talent and tradition. It's truly fitting that his life story will be immortalized on film." ... "Ernie Davis is a true American hero,"... (Daily Orange, NY)
Liberty Bowl founder 'Bud' Dudley dies at age 88 Jun 18, 2008
The Liberty Bowl featured players Terry Baker, Ernie Davis, Doug Flutie and Bo Jackson, and coaches included Lou Holtz, Tom Osborne, Vince Dooley and Bear Bryant in his final game at Alabama. The city of Memphis renamed the press box at the Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium after Dudley in 2005. (ESPN -- College Football News)
Two for the Hall May 2, 2008
McPherson becomes the eighth playing member of the Hall of Fame representing Syracuse, including the likes of Ernie Davis, Jim Brown and Larry Csonka. McPherson is the first quarterback. (R News)
He can see clearly now Feb 20, 2008
As for The Express, about Heisman Trophy winner Ernie Davis (Quaid plays his coach): I think sports movies work when they're not really about sports, when they transcend that. And this one definitely does; it's a story about race as well as grace. (Globe and Mail)
What's in a number? Feb 11, 2008
5 The No 44, worn by Jim Brown and Ernie Davis at Syracuse, is so revered at the school that every university phone number begins with 44. 6 Mickey Mantle wore No 6 when he first joined the Yankees After getting sent down to the minors, he wore No 7 upon his return. (SunOnline)
How Heisman winners fared in bowl games Dec 18, 2007
1961: Syracuse RB Ernie Davis BOWL RESULT: Won 15-14 over Miami in the Liberty Bowl. Davis ran 30 times for 140 yards and a touchdown. (Notre Dame Sports -- Rivals.com)
Syracuse hires new coordinator Dec 8, 2007
Browning said he is aware of the great tradition at Syracuse, which has produced offensive stars such as Ernie Davis, Jim Brown, Larry Csonka, Art Monk, Donovan McNabb and Marvin Harrison. "The number one priority is to evaluate the talent we have on offense and determine where we want to go," Browning said. (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- NCAA Football)
Local senior players compete in 2007 Ernie Davis Classic Nov 21, 2007
Tonight, several local senior players will have a chance to strut their stuff at the Ernie Davis Classic, an All-star game featuring the best senior players from Section IV (minus players from Walton and Chenango Forks, which are still alive in the New York state playoffs). Section IV Football Conference Division IV champion Waverly will send five players to the game, with four able to play for the West squad. (Sayre Evening Times, PA)
Recruit | Syracuse's tradition enough to lure Mayes despite struggles Oct 26, 2007
It's uncommon to hear a commit bring up Jim Brown, Ernie Davis or even Donovan McNabb. But Grant Mayes is not a usual recruit. (Daily Orange, NY)
2007 ACC Football Legend: Maryland's Dick Shiner Oct 20, 2007
"The great Ernie Davis was on that team along with a lot of other great players, players like John Mackey, Art Baker at fullback, Roger Brown. "Through the first two games, against a really good SMU team and Clemson, I'd been running with the second team and Coach Nugent would put us in for a quarter or two. Then the Syracuse game came up and they were one of the national powerhouses. (Theacc.com)
On the big screen Oct 17, 2007
The Express' turns Ernie Davis' story into a major motion picture ... Inevitably, they brought up Ernie Davis ... It's based on Robert Gallagher's biography, "Ernie Davis: The Elmira Express: The Story of a Heisman Trophy Winner.". (Daily Orange, NY)
Mountaineers beat Syracuse, 55-14 Oct 7, 2007
Underneath a photo of Jim Brown and a jersey of Ernie Davis hanging from the inflated roof, before another dwindling Carrier Dome crowd announced at 35,345, the Mountaineers scored the most points ever dropped upon a Syracuse team in its 558 home games. Good thing for White and West Virginia (5-1, 1-1 Big East) that they don't play again until Oct. 20 against Mississippi State, because the star quarterback might need that long to heal a strained chest muscle. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA)
Bits & Bytes: WVU - Syracuse Oct 6, 2007
It adorned the jerseys of three all-time greats: Jim Brown, Floyd Little and Ernie Davis. Its so special to the Cuse, in fact, that it has been incorporated into many aspects of the school and city. (BlueGoldNews.com)
FH | Trained eye: New field hockey coach Ange Bradley is changing the way SU plays - and it begins with conditioning Sep 11, 2007
While the number resonates with football fans for being the year Ernie Davis and Co. earned the program's only national title, it also means a lot to new head coach Ange Bradley and her team. "The most goals that we've ever scored in the program's history is 58, so we want to break that," Bradley said. (Daily Orange, NY)
Syracuse hopes to erase memories of Iowa's goal-line stand Sep 7, 2007
Only meaningless yardage late in the game kept Syracuse from posting negative rushing yards on the same night it unveiled a statue of running back Ernie Davis, who won the Heisman in 1961. "We would like to be a more balanced offense. I don't think there is any question to that," Syracuse coach Greg Robinson said. (Muscatine Journal, IO)
