For almost 250 youth football players in Elmira, N.Y., and the Syracuse area, a local football legend came to life on the silver screen Tuesday night. USA Football partnered with Universal Studios to host a private screening for "The Express," a film depicting the life of college football hero and trailblazer Ernie Davis.
Kids from the Elmira Small Fry Football League (the same league Davis played in as a youngster), Greater Watertown Pop Warner, Jamesville-Dewitt Youth Athletic Association and East Syracuse-Minoa Eagles Youth Football League were all in attendance to learn more about one of their own. In 1961, Davis became the first African-American to win the Heisman Trophy before tragically succumbing to leukemia in 1963 at age 23.
Shortly after signing an NFL contract with the Cleveland Browns, tragedy struck the star athlete when he was diagnosed with leukemia.Davis' story of perseverance, humility and love for his teammates embodies football's timeless values for the 3.2 million American kids who play organized youth tackle football today.
USA Football, the sport's national governing body on youth and amateur levels, also hosted six other screenings on Sept. 23 in Baltimore, Charlotte, Chicago, Indianapolis, San Diego and Washington, D.C.
Video courtesy of WENY-TV (Elmira, N.Y.)
