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The Express: The Ernie Davis Story | 
 enlarge | Author: Robert C. Gallagher
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Category: Book
List Price: $13.00
Buy New: $10.40
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Rating:  6 reviews
Sales Rank: 12236
Media: Paperback
Edition: Reprint
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 208
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4
Dimensions (in): 8.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
ISBN: 0345510860
Dewey Decimal Number: 921
EAN: 9780345510860
ASIN: 0345510860
Publication Date: September 2, 2008
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Product Description
“He could do it all, beat every opponent . . . except one.”
–plaque honoring Ernie Davis, in the lobby of Elmira Free Academy
Ernie Davis was an All-American on the gridiron, and a man of integrity off the field. A multi-sport high school star in Elmira, New York, Davis went on to Syracuse University, where as a sophomore he led his team to an undefeated season and a national championship in 1959, and earned his nickname, the Elmira Express. Two seasons later, Davis had broken the legendary Jim Brown’s rushing records, and became the first black athlete to be awarded the Heisman Trophy.
The number one pick in the 1962 NFL draft, Davis signed a contract with the Cleveland Browns and appeared to be headed for professional stardom. But Davis never ended up playing in the NFL: He was diagnosed with leukemia during 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 sport in America at the dawn of the Civil Rights era.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 1 more reviews...
 Provides the facts about Ernie Davis December 1, 2008
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.
Scrapbook October 26, 2008
Interesting, but I agree with the other reviewer who commented on its fluidity.
Anyway, this is the Hollywood version. If you're looking for a grassroots biography of Ernie Davis, keep an eye out for "A Halo for a Helmet", apparently available on Amazon.com in the near future.
A Profile in Courage October 7, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
The movie tie-in is actually a biography of Ernie Davis that was published in 1983 - The Elmira Express: the Story of Ernie Davis - which is given a new title to coincide with the film.
The book succinctly covers the life of Davis, who was a phenomenal high school athlete in Elmira, New York, an incredible gridiron star at Syracuse University and the first African-American to win the Heisman Trophy.
The number one pick in the 1962 NFL by the Washington Redskins, the rights to Davis was soon traded to the Cleveland Browns. Davis never played a down in pro football, as he was diagnosed with leukemia in the summer of 1962 and passed away in 1963.
Davis did suit up once for Cleveland, running onto the field with the team before an exhibition game. There has been a lingering controversy fueled by sportswriters from that era that Browns owner Art Modell actually wanted the ill Davis to participate in the contest, if only for one play.
Though there is special focus on the athletic prowess, author Robert C. Gallagher does not neglect the positive and majestic personality of Davis or the societal times of the civil rights movement and racism, which was played out on football fields, neighborhoods and city streets throughout the nation. Sports does mirror society, even in its most ugliness.
But Davis was an inspirational figure who was - as eulogized by President John F. Kennedy - "an outstanding man of great character." Not only a great read for adults, the book is for young people, since it truly defines a profile in courage and a hero who used athletics in his short lifetime for a greater good.
An African-American Sports Hero and Pioneer October 6, 2008
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.
 Inspiring Story September 16, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
The Express is the story of Ernie Davis, the 1961 Heisman Trophy winning running back from Syracuse. He was drafted by the Cleveland Browns, but never played a down in the NFL because he was diagnosed with Leukemia soon after. It is the basis for the upcoming movie of the same name and has been updated to coincide with it's release.
It's not a very well written book, the writing is often repetitive, and the author reprints way too many newspaper articles verbatim. In my opinion, this greatly impedes the flow of the book. He prefers a more freeflowing style, jumping from anecdote to anecdote, rather than sticking to a linear timeline, which is often distracting to the reader. As a result, the book reads more like what it is, a great collection of interviews, rather than a cohesive biography. Sometimes the story is greater than the author's ability to tell it. Despite these flaws, this book is still a worthwhile read, and it's short enough
that you shouldn't have any problem reading it in two days max.
I knew very little about Ernie Davis before I read this book, mostly that he had been an outstanding college player at Syracuse, and that he had died before realizing his dream of playing in the NFL. It was very inspiring to read about the great humility and personal courage with which he lived his life, and faced not only his illness, but also the racism that all black players endured during that era.
I would recommend this book to any football fan or player who is unfamiliar with the story of "The Elmira Express"
Ernie Davis should always be remembered, not for how he died, but for how he lived.
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