All language subtitles for The Express 2008 720p BRRip x264 AAC-KiNGDOM

ERNIE: 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.

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

Ready?
ALL: Break!

SARETTE: Whiskey, whiskey, 33!

Been waiting
for this, spook.

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

(WHISTLE BLOWS)

(STAMMERING)
I found another Pepsi.

(SINGING) 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

MALE NARRATOR 1: America has
been riding the crest of a
wave of a peaceful prosperity.

MALE NARRATOR 2: 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.

(TRAIN HORN BLOWING)

Hey, guys!

(TRAIN APPROACHING)

Ain't but one
thing to do here.

Ernie, you
listening to me?

Ernie, now!

Ernie!

(ALL LAUGHING)

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.

(STAMMERING)

(ALL LAUGHING)

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.

(GRUNTS)

(ALL SHOUTING)

ERNIE: 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?"

ERNIE: Hey, Will!

/ didn't know
then what I know now,

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

POPS: After dinner
we gonna have an ice
cream eating contest.

What do you
say about that?

Yeah, I like it.

POPS: Okay.

First Corinthians 15:10.

Ernie.

Yes, Grandpa.

Why don't you read tonight?

(SIGHS)

POPS: You can do it.

(STAMMERING) "But

"by the..."

Ernie, take a deep breath.

(BREATHES DEEPLY)

Okay, now try it again.

"But by the

"grace of God I am what I am.

"And his grace...

POPS: "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.

ANNOUNCER: 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.

ANNOUNCER: 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.

(SCHOOL BELL RINGING)

Hey!
Hey, Ernie.

Ernie!

Mama?

Mama!

(EXCLAIMING)

WILL: 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.

GRANDMA:
You gonna love it, baby.

(GRANDMA CHUCKLING)

Bye, Will.

Bye, Ernie.

So, I'll see you soon.

(HONKING)

(WHISTLE BLOWING)

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

Wait till you see these.

(EXCLAIMS)

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.

(CHUCKLES)

Come on! Huddle!

Reggie!

Davis.

Just give him the ball.

REGGIE: Ready?
ALL: Ready!

ALL: Break!

Ready!

Hike!

(WHISTLE BLOWS)

(ALL CHEERING)

That your son?

Yes. Yes, it is.

Al Malette,
Elmira Star-Gazette.

What's his name?

Ernie.
His name is
Ernie Davis.

Ernie Davis.

MAN: 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.

REX: 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?

BELL: 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.

SIMMONS: 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.

(SIGHS)

Shit.

BROWN: It's all chrome
inside there. Feel that.

No, no, no.
Not that, that's the gas.
Better step on the brake.

Oh!

There you go. You
got tiny legs. She's
gonna love this, right?

Mighty nice
car, Jim.

Do me a favor,
wait upstairs.

Okay then.

What's on your mind,
Coach? I take it this
isn't a social call.

All right, look, there's
this kid, and I want you
to help me recruit him.

You want me to help you?

You're leaving us a
hell of a hole, Jim.

And we are up against
the big boys. We've got
Pitt, UCLA, Texas.

You mean he's colored.

He's a Negro, yes.

You can't talk to Negroes?

I can't...

I'm not good at that salesman
stuff. Not much of a dancer,
you know that.

I know this wasn't the most
welcoming place for you,
but that's not my fault.

I can only control
what happens on 100
yards of gridiron.

But I do know Cleveland never
would have heard of you

if you hadn't come
here to play for me.

What I did here
was on my back
and my sweat.

What good would
your time be here

if you're not willing
to help the next
kid get his chance?

A kid like you.

He's got talent, Jim.

Maybe even your
kind of talent.

Didn't mention
anything in your telegram
about bringing Jim Brown.

I hope you don't
mind signing a couple
hundred autographs.

Ha! Jim loves to sign
autographs, don't you?

You know, Jim,
I'm a Syracuse
man myself.

Class of '31.

You don't say.

Is that Bill Clark
from Notre Dame?

MARTY: Yeah,
been here all week.

Yeah, not enough
he steals Ramsey right
out from under my nose.

That's your man
right there, Ernie Davis.

11 varsity letters.
Plays baseball, too.

In fact, there's not
a sport he doesn't play.

(MARTY BLOWS WHISTLE)

Try it one more time.

(WHISTLE BLOWS)

Let's see what he does.

He's too fast
for these kids.

He's too fast
for anybody.

(WHISTLE BLOWS)

Ben Schwartzwalder.
Head coach, Syracuse
University Orangemen.

Pleasure to
meet you, sir.

Pleasure to
meet you, son.

Do you know
why I'm here?

Same reason as
Notre Dame, sir?

Yeah, same reason.

But don't just take my
word for it. Jim! Jim!

I'll be right back.
Thank you.

There's another fan
who'd like to tell you

how much he'd
like to see you
come play for us.

Jim...
Brown.

2,091 rushing yards,
5.8 yards of carry,

132 yards and
three touchdowns
in the Cotton Bowl.

We lost the Cotton Bowl.

But that sweep
where you cut
back to the middle?

My mama and me watched
that game on a television
set in Sears and Roebuck.

She's a big fan
of yours, too.

Oh!

Is she?

Mr. Brown?
I hope you like
caramel cake.

I do, thank you.

Here you go.

I understand you're
from Pennsylvania,
Mr. Davis.

What brings you up
here to New York?

I asked him to come.

To help me make up my mind.

That's good
to have family
like that.

You close to your family,
Mr. Schwartzwalder?

I have a wife
and two daughters.

And they never ask my
opinion about anything.

(ALL CHUCKLE)

Seems to work.

Mr. Brown?

Yes, sir.

Were you the first
in your family to
go to college?

Yes, sir, I was.

And what's it
like at Syracuse
for men like us?

It's great.
It's good.

I suppose I'd say
it's not that different
than a lot of places.

This cake is delicious.

BROWN: I want you
to go out. Keep going.
Back. Back. All right.

Mr. Brown,
I'm not real
big on lacrosse.

Jim.
Jim.

Okay, let's see
what you've got.

(GRUNTS)

It's not as easy
as it looks, is it?

I'm all right.

You see, lacrosse
isn't just a sport.

The Indians used it to
settle their conflicts
and heal the sick.

They also played it as
a preparation for war.

Make no mistake,
there's a war
in this country,

but for men like us,
it's not on
the football field.

So if all you nice folks
are offering the same thing,

what makes you different?

Well, Syracuse...

Not Syracuse. You.

I'm not sure I follow
you, Mr. Davis.

My grandson might be
spending the next four
years listening to you,

learning from you.

So, I suppose
what I'm asking,
Mr. Schwartzwalder,

is what kind
of man are you?

I just want to be
the best player
I can be, you know.

I want to be
like you, Jim Brown,

first-team Ail-American
then straight to the NFL,

and I need you to tell
me exactly where I
gotta be to get there.

Look, if you go to
Syracuse, it's not
gonna be easy for you.

But Schwartzwalder,
he's one of the best
coaches in college ball.

Now you're fast,
but he'll make you faster.

You run hard,
he'll show you
how to run harder.

And you're good,
but he'll make you better.

And if you ever
tell him I said that,

I'll jump on the first
plane from Cleveland and
come and wring your neck.

Now let's get out of here.

Let me tell you something
about Jim and I, we had
our differences at times.

So whatever he told you
about me, I would take it
with a grain of salt.

Even if he said you
were a good coach?

(SCOFFS)

Well, in that case, son,
I would tell you that too
much salt is bad for you.

Ernie? Ernie Davis?

How'd you guess?

Welcome.

I'm Lew Andreas,
the athletic
director. Come on!

I'll give you
a tour of the campus
on the way to your dorm.

All right.
Syracuse has a storied

academic tradition, Ernie.
Really?

Steven Crane attended
the university in 1891

and wrote The Red
Badge of Courage...
Hey, Lew!

Harry! Sorry, I'll be
right back. Right back.

Harry.
How are you?

No one from here has
ever won, if that's
what you're looking for.

No harm in dreaming,
right, Coach?

It's not about
winning trophies, Davis.
It's about winning games.

I'll see you at practice.

Get up! Get up!

That was plum awful!
Now, last one runs a lap.

Let's go!

Run a lap.

ALL: ...five, six...

Youmans, you move
like a walrus.

Come on! Like a big,
old elephant walrus!

Gerhard, goose-step.
Make your ancestors proud.

Ease up, Davis.

What are you smiling at?

This fine institution
is giving you three
hots and a cot.

I do not intend to let
them waste their money.

Get them up, come on.

Right about now,
I bet you're wondering

what happened to
that nice gentleman
that visited your house

and begged you
to come here, huh?

Let's go! Now make
no mistake, gentlemen.

No matter what anyone else
tells you, you are not here
to just play football.

You are offside.

BEN: You are here
at Syracuse
to win games.

And you can't win
games if you can't
out-perform the other team.

Don't you step on
my All-Americans.

If you step on my
Ail-Americans, I will
reach down your throat,

grab your donuts
and tie them to
your tonsils!

Good hit!

Take him down!

So, you're the
next Jim Brown, huh?

Yeah, I can see
the resemblance.

Yeah, except Brown
was always mad
about something.

(CHUCKLES) Don't be fooled
by the smile.

Well, he's funnier
than Jimmy.

Yeah.

Well, maybe he
can entertain us.
You dance, Davis?

Not as good
as me, Lundy.

Come on! Get up!
Move! Move! Move! Move!

SCHWEDES: You should
know, you never call
Coach, "Sarge."

He was a captain,
jumped out of airplanes,
stormed a bridge in Normandy.

Killed people,
won medals.

By the way, I'm Gerhard
Schwedes, halfback.

Roger, everybody calls
me Hound Dog though.

Maury Youmans, center.

I'll be keeping your
jersey clean next year.

He embarrassed you!
Embarrassed you!

BEN: I want you to move Davis
from freshman to varsity.

But he won't be eligible
to play in any games, Ben.

Why don't we just let
him catch his stride
with the other freshmen?

First, when he does
become eligible next year,

I want him to hit
the ground running.

Second, he's gonna
raise everybody's game.

He'll probably be
the best running back
they face all year.

I got you.

Third, that's just
the way I want it done.

(BLOWING WHISTLE)

Jack Buckley, right tackle,
sophomore. Call me JB.

I was a defensive end
in high school. Philly.

But I think they're
gonna move me to tackle.

What we up to?
Three miles?

Don't know.
Never count.

You hear a train?

Why?
Is it making
you nervous?

No, I'm not nervous.

Can we get off
these tracks?

Yeah, I'm sorry.
I'm just used to it.

And when you use
your meal voucher
in the student union...

Right.
...stay away from
the meatloaf.

What else?
Girls.

You'll find a Negro polar bear
before you find a Negro coed.

Good morning, sir.
Beautiful day, isn't it?

I swear, sometimes you feel
like you're on the moon here.

SARETTE: Yes, yes,
that's her sister.

Sarette, what did Petey
say about that broad?

Yeah, it's her
little sister.

I don't know about our
team yet, but theirs is
in mid-season form.

At least her sister is.

(WHISTLE BLOWS)

ERNIE: Coach
wanted to see me?

He's in his office.

Knock.

(KNOCKING ON DOOR)

You wanted to
see me, Coach?

Mmm-hmm.

Davis, my system
is simple.

Conditioning,
teamwork.

And on my team, I expect every
player to know his job.

Know his place on the field.

Quarterback,
running back,
lineman.

That way, nobody
steps on anybody's toes.

Same holds true
off the field.

I'm not sure how
you mean, Coach.

Well...

There are some lines
that some people don't
care to see crossed,

just like there are some toes
that shouldn't be stepped on.

And I expect my players
not to cross those lines.

Now, you must
have a girlfriend
back home, right?

Good-looking
fellow like you.

You might want to
keep in touch with her.

You're a smart kid, Davis.
I don't have to spell
it out for you, do I?

Anything else, Coach?

No.

May I go now?

Yes.

JACK: We call that,
"The white girl speech,"

and don't worry,
we all get it.

That's funny.
I don't remember seeing that
in the campus brochure, JB.

(CHUCKLES)

Avatus Stone.

Avatus what?

Avatus Stone.
Quarterback. Negro.

First one Schwartzwalder
recruited here.

What happened to him?

He got run off.

What do you mean,
"Run off?"

One night, just
disappeared. Gone.

And then Jimmy
Brown shows up,

and all Jim
hears is, "Don't be
like Avatus Stone.

"Whatever you
do, don't be like
Avatus Stone."

Wait. But what did he do?
Did he kill somebody?

Worse. He dated
a white girl.

Majorette, blonde.

Schwartzwalder wouldn't
even give Jim a scholarship
until sophomore year.

Made him prove himself.

Yeah.

Just goes to show, Coach
likes winning more than
he dislikes Negroes.

A little.

See you
at the room.

Hey.

Excuse me,
Hound Dog.

LUNDY: Would you look
at that, boys?

If it isn't enough they
let a freshman dress
in the varsity locker,

now they went and anointed
him the second coming of
Jim Brown.

(ALL LAUGHING)

What's your
problem, Lundy?

My problem is I was raised
to believe you should have
to earn things.

That's not all you
were raised to believe,
now was it?

(ALL EXCLAIMING)

You got a big mouth, JB.

Yeah, I do.

SIMMONS: How about
the next play, Ben?

This'll be strong load
right, 42 shovel pass.

We can use
this third short.

Strong load right.
Right, 42 shovel pass.

What you got there, Davis?

It's this jersey, Coach.

What, something
wrong with it?

Yeah, I...

What is it?
Too big?
Too tight, what?

Oh, no.
Not at all.
It's just...

Then what is it?

Somebody made
a mistake.

They gave me
the wrong number.

Mr. Davis, I put that
jersey in your locker.

Are you accusing me
of making a mistake?

No, sir.
Well then, what?

Coach, I'm...

I'm not Jim Brown.

God, I hope not!

And, God, I hope so.

That is your number.

The day you're not up to it,
I'll take it away as quick
as a hiccup.

Now, get out of here.

Tight right, 34 right dig.
On one. On one. Ready.

ALL: Break!

Offense, I want to see
you fire off the ball.

Fire off the ball.

Red?
Sir!

Are you in
or out there?

Strong left,
strong left!

Strong left.
Why don't you watch
the sweep, right there?

PLAYER: Sir!
Ready?

SARETTE: On one.

God damn it!

(WHISTLE BLOWS)

Lundy, you got
yourself planted.

Get off your heels
and get after it.
That was embarrassing.

Davis looks good.

Looks good, Ben.

Five, three,
cover two. Ready?

ALL: Break!

Double tight, double
tight. Watch the sweep
left! Watch the sweep!

(WHISTLE BLOWS)

(WHISTLE BLOWING)

(ALL EXCLAIM)

That was a cheap shot.

Oh, he's gonna get
a lot worse than that
before he's done here.

You've got
something
to say, 44?

You all right?
Yeah.

You can't let him
treat you like that
and not say nothing.

That's all right.
I do my talking
on the field.

(ALL EXCLAIM)

(WHISTLE BLOWS)

Hey, hey! Come on!

Hey, come on!

All right,
all right, all right,
all right, all right.

Don't ever make me
look bad again.

Back to the huddle, Lundy.

You got away with a lot back
in high school 'cause you were
bigger than everybody else.

Those days are done.

You got it?
Got it, Coach.

Good block.

Now listen up.

If you practice half-assed,
you will play half-assed.

Now, we have Boston
College in two weeks

and I would like
not to get blown out
in our own stadium.

Now play football.

Let's go. Good work.

(BAND PLAYING
ROCK 'N' ROLL MUSIC)

(SINGING)

Surprise, surprise.
Will you look at this?

They're saying
Pete Dawkins is gonna
take home the Heisman.

Well, he rushed for over
1,000 yards, and has almost
as many receiving yards, JB.

He's gotta
be real good.

Yeah, well, he's
definitely real white.

This thing's
like a love letter.

JB, look.

What?

Hey!

Negro polar bears.

Who knew they
traveled in pairs?

(CHATTERING)

Ready?
For what?

You're not ready.
Come on, let's go.
Which one do you like?

Which one do you like?

The one on the right.

Good evening, ladies.

Good evening.

I'd like a Pepsi.
The same.

And could you bring us
some of those deviled eggs?

You don't even be
eating no deviled egg.

(LAUGHING)

I'm so sorry.
You go to Syracuse?

I didn't know.

Yes, we go to Syracuse,
but if you'd like,

we can jump in the kitchen,
whip you up some grits
and gravy, ma'am.

Get them, Ernie.

I'm Gloria.
This is my friend...

Sarah.

She's visiting
from Cornell.

Gloria and Sarah.
Okay. I'm Jack Buckley,
but you call me JB.

JB.
JB.

And this is my
friend, Ernie.

How do you do?

Very well.

So, what are you
guys studying?

Well, a little bit
of everything.

Math, basic literature...

We're on the
football team.

And that.

GLORIA: Oh!

I don't really know
too much about football.

Neither does he.

(ALL LAUGHING)

All kidding aside,
Gloria, would you
care to dance?

All right.

(SIGHS)

So, Sarah, what
are you studying?

I'm majoring in education,
with a minor in
social sciences.

Oh!

And you?
What are you studying?

Just some basic
courses right now,
some math,

some English.

Look, I know what
you're thinking.

That since I'm not here
because of my grades,

or my money,

that I'm not
a serious person.

You're wrong.

So, you know what
I'm thinking, do you?

Fine, Mr. Serious.

What am I thinking
right now?

ANNOUNCER: Rain still
coming down steadily
here at Archbold Stadium.

The last chance
for the Orangemen.

The Orangemen can really use
a little help out there.

Let's hope their
recruiting is better
than their running game.

QUARTERBACK: Hike!

And for the Syracuse faithful,
there's a sense of disbelief,

as Holy Cross has knocked
off the mighty Orangemen.

BELL: Let's go, ladies.
Pick it up!

BEN: Let's go.
Knees up.
Knees up.

Pain is how you learn.

Come on!

Gentlemen, it is not okay
to lose to an inferior team,

especially on our home turf!

Now, we gave no effort out
on that field tonight, so
we should feel it now!

Don't you puke
on my gym floor!

Varsity practice only, Ernie.
You don't have to be here.

I know.

I just heard you called
a midnight practice, Coach.

I'm sorry I'm late.

Well, go ahead.
Get in there.

Yes, sir.

BEN: Gentlemen,
do you think you played
good football last year?

Think again.

You think you're here just
to wear a varsity jacket

and impress the ladies?

Think again.

If you think you
know what pain is,
think again.

This is what pain is for.

Now, does anyone
know the last year

that Syracuse won a
national championship?

Hmm?

You're right.
We've never won one.

You are here to
change all that.

ANNOUNCER 1: Ladies
and gentlemen, please
welcome to the field

your Syracuse
University Orangemen.

ANNOUNCER 2: Welcome
to Archbold Stadium,
Syracuse, New York,

where the Orangemen
begin the 1959 campaign.

The expectations for
Ben Schwartzwalder and
the Orangemen are enormous.

This is a football team
that could go unbeaten.

(BREATHES DEEPLY)

(WHISTLE BLOWING)

Hut one!

On first down,
Ernie Davis gets
his first carry

as a member of
the Orangemen.

(WHISTLE BLOWS)

Welcome to
Syracuse football.

(POPS CHUCKLES)

Will... Will, he said
his name on the radio.

Sure did.
I heard it.
I heard it, Pops.

ANNOUNCER: Ernie Davis
certainly has some big shoes
to fill here today.

And after an unsuccessful
series of downs
by the Orangemen,

Kansas takes over on
its own 28-yard line.

QUARTERBACK: Hut!

Let's get after it!
Come on, let's get after it!

The receiver is leveled
by veteran linebacker
Bobby Lundy.

I'm doing your job, 44.

Huddle up!

Ball at the Syracuse
10-yard line.

First down and goal
to go for Kansas.

Yes.
Did he get in?

Did he cross the goal line?

Here's the official signal.

(BLOWING WHISTLE)

Touchdown, Kansas.

BEN: What kind of
pig slop is that?

We haven't gotten
a call all day!

J ay hawks jump
out to a 7-0 lead

here at the very,
very quiet Archbold Stadium.

Here in the second quarter,
Kansas on top of Syracuse,
7-0.

SARETTE: Six regular!
Six regular!

The Orange faithful
still waiting for
something to cheer about.

Hut one!

Sarette back to pass.

Throwing down fie Id.

It's complete
to his tight end

down near the
Kansas 30-yard line.

Way to pick up
the blitz, Ernie!

A superb block on the play,
turned in by Ernie Davis.

Second down,
eight yards to go
for the Orangemen.

SARETTE: Hut!

Toss play once
again to Ernie Davis.

BEN: Get him out there!

Daw's to the
Kansas secondary.

Go, Davis, go!

Look at that young man go!

The Elmira Express
virtually walks into
the end zone!

The Syracuse Orangemen,
now on top of Kansas, 14-7.

Go for one.

And what an impression Ernie
Davis has made on this
crowd here at Archbold.

The Orangemen
just may have found
their next great halfback.

Hey, Ernie.

Hey, fellas,
how you doing?

You guys
coming or going?

Hey. Welcome home, Ernie.

Pops!

They give you
some time off?

Yeah, yeah,
long weekend.

Look at you,
all college boy.

You're just gonna dirty
up my college jacket.

Come on, come on,
let's go inside.
You're too good to hug me?

Look at this!

Let me carry that.
Give me your bag.

If they'd run
you more last week
against Navy,

you would have blown
them jokers off the field.

Will, we won.

Seems like that
coach of yours
like to pass the ball.

I'll get my carries.

Yeah? He promise you that?

No. Thank you, ma'am.
But eventually...
No?

How are your
grades, Ernie?

Ernie?

They're good, Pops, thanks.
I'm keeping them up.

I like history,
and I'm taking
a business course.

That's good.

'Cause football
is just a game.

It's that degree
that's going to
count for something.

Gonna get you a good job.

Where you gonna
get a good job at,
a Negro with a diploma?

AT&T? GM?

It's football
that's gonna
take him someplace.

Otherwise,
he gonna be working
right here with us,

cutting coal,
and you know it.

I wanna apologize for him.

You ain't got to
apologize for me, Pops!

Don't you start
it tonight, Will.

Pops... Guys!
Don't start
it tonight.

Whoa! Whoa! Whoa!

Relax.

You're both right.

Now, my plan A is the
Cleveland Browns. Now,
if that doesn't work out,

plan B is the
New York Giants.

Come on, Ernie.
We don't wanna be late.

Sorry, my dear,
we got things to do,
people to meet.

I'll meet you
outside, Ernie.

MAN: Jim Crow
is alive and well right
here in Pennsylvania.

MAN: Yes, it is.

But we can no
longer willfully
close our eyes

and pretend that we
cannot see that he sees
us as beneath him.

WOMAN: Yes!
No, we cannot.

And we can no longer
stay silent when he tells
us that we cannot speak.

Yes!
That's right!

Abraham Lincoln
stood in a field
at Gettysburg,

and spoke of a new nation.
MAN: That's right.

Uniontown is 100 miles away
from his Gettysburg.

We are still
yet to be equal.

That is why the NAACP is
calling for a nationwide
boycott of Woolworths.

That's right!
That's right!

All right.

Come on.

ALL: Boycott! Boycott!
Boycott! Boycott!
Boycott! Boycott!

WILL: Come to Washington
with us.

There's a bus going
down from the church.

We gonna organize
with Martin Luther King

and let the people
know this country
has got to change.

I don't think I can be
a part of what you want
me to be a part of

right now, Will.
All this.

What you saying?

I got a scholarship.

I can't risk losing
it, and I don't wanna
invite trouble.

I see. Did Emmett Till
invite trouble?
Did Rosa Parks?

Who told you this,
your coach?

You don't understand.

It's a different
world up there.

Is it?

You know,
your coach sound
a lot like Pops.

No understanding
whatsoever with the
troubles in this country.

"You boys got no business
north of Union Street,
you hear me?"

Now, leave Pops
out of this, Will.

Now you got a white
man telling you what
you can and can't do.

Wait a minute. Hold on.
Watch how you talk to me.

That man don't care
nothing about you, Ernie.

You're not there.
You don't know him.

You don't know what
you're talking about.
Tom can toe the line

and carry the ball,
but that man will turn
on you. Just you wait.

You don't think I'm
reminded every minute
of who I am at school?

Everybody there is
watching me, and waiting
for me to make a mistake.

You Ernie Davis.

You got your
name in the paper.

Now that's something for
colored folk around here to
open up a newspaper, Ernie,

and see your name,
your face.

And say, "I know him.
I went to school with him."

They gonna be
looking up to you.

I think you owe them more
than just running a ball.

SIMMONS: The play action
pass was there all day.

It won't be
there the next time.

Why not?

'Cause Boston College
is watching the same
damn game that we are.

All right, we start out
double tight. Tight in
here, tight in there.

Just a normal
double tight.

Just like from
the beginning
of time, Simmy.

Now,
we're gonna take Schwedes
out of the wing position,

and we're gonna
move him into a
three-back formation.

Only shift it over like this.

All right, defense.
What do you do
when you see this?

Now the defense,
they have to shift.

We move to the right.

That's right. Even if
it's shading from nose
up to opposite shoulder.

Our right tackle?
He goes on the left side.

I'm gonna leave the huddle,

and you're gonna
start out right,
just like normal.

Go left, go left!

Except before we're set,
you're gonna run left.

He runs left,

and you're gonna line
up on the left side.

And he sets up
on the left side.

And it's evident
that Boston College
is confused

by the offense
Syracuse is running.

You lost me, Ben.
The right tackle
moves to the left,

he covers the tight end.

But if he's on the left
side, we cover the tight
end, I can't pass to him.

The Holy Cross defenders
are desperately trying to
position themselves

to best play against
this formation.

Petey, am I talking
French here?

Tackle lines up
inside the tight
end, does he not?

It's unbalanced, right?
Do we shift again, Coach?

Yes, they shift.
They all shift.

They have to shift.
They must shift.

Shift, shift, shift.

All right, so you've got
everybody and their dog

shifted over to
the left. Now what?

We are going to run it...

We are going to run it...

...to the right.

...to the right.
To the right, Coach?

But that's away
from our strength.

The weak side of the field.

So, we're going to
run to the weak side?

I like the way that
you think, Mr. Davis.

Gentlemen, when you have
a thoroughbred, you do
not lock him in the barn.

SARETTE: Hut!

I will take one-on-one
out here all day long.

That just might
work, Coach.

Damn right.

"Ernie Davis is a bull-necked,
steel-shouldered running back

"from Syracuse
University, who can run
a football field's length

"in 10 seconds flat."
10 seconds?

Okay, put that
away now, please.

Don't you be modest.

Thank you.
Be proud, Ernie.

You're in the
same magazine
as Reverend King,

that's something.
Yeah.

That is something,
but Sarah, it looks like you
didn't read the best part.

"In his spare time,
the bull-necked Ernie
Davis enjoys sewing,

"baking lasagna,
and writing songs
for his church choir."

Ernie, you never
invite me to church.
Very funny, very funny.

I'm hurt. What is that?
Ernie? Ernie.

Can I have a word
with you, please?

Make me some lasagna.

He can take it.

Good to see you.
JACK: That's Mr. Andreas.

Just turn left there.

(INAUDIBLE)

PREACHER: "He maketh me to
lie down in green pastures.

"He leadeth me
beside the still waters.

"He restoreth my soul.

"He leadeth me in the
paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.

"Yea, though I walk
through the valley
of the shadow of death,

"I will fear no evil,
for thou art with me.

"Thy rod and thy staff..."

40 years,
Pops worked
underground.

Seems wrong
to put him right
back in there.

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

"And his grace
which was bestowed
upon me was not in vain."

YOUNG ERNIE: "His grace
which was bestowed..."

POPS: "... upon me
was not in vain."

(SOBBING)

Pops.

BEN: Now, we barely got
by West Virginia when we
played them here last year,

and they've been
licking their chops
waiting for us ever since.

They play by a
different set of rules.

It will be hostile.

Their fans are unruly,

especially when
they're playing
against a team that

looks a little
different than they do.

Now, load up.

God damn it!

Hey, Squirrel!

Didn't I tell you to
put new laces in these?

I forgot. I'll do it now.

His name is Donald.

What?

His name is Donald.

(LAUGHING)

Hell, Squirrel,
I don't know
which one's worse.

But you see, Davis,
around here, Squirrel
finishes the laces.

If it makes you happy,
you can shine them for me.

PLAYER: Hey, come on!

(WHISTLE BLOWING)
PLAYER: Get him off!

BELL: Hey! Knock it off!

Hey!

What the hell's
going on in here?

Where are you going,
Davis? Davis!

I'm talking to you!

Hey, you guys all saw it.
Coach, he went crazy on me.

BEN: All right,
everyone, listen up.

Everyone is to
keep their helmet
on at all times,

whether you're in
the game or not.

I don't want anyone
hurt by flying bottles.

Davis, Buckley,
Baker, you stay in the
middle of the pack.

Keep your heads down.

MAN: It must be Halloween,
'cause here come the spooks!

We'll be safer
out on the field.

All right, let's go!

Come on, boys!
Let's go!

ANNOUNCER: The unbeaten
Syracuse Orangemen

have made the journey
to Morgantown, West Virginia.

They'll face a rugged
Mountaineer team.

(CROWD BOOING)

And there's the boot.
Baker takes the football
up to the 20,

the 30, the 40 and
he's finally brought down
at the 47-yard line.

Offense, let's go.
Look alive, let's go.

A full house. 495 dive
on two, on two. Ready?

PLAYER: Thirty-five,
thirty-five!

SARETTE: Okie. Okie.

(ALL BOOING)

PLAYER: Thirty-five,
thirty-five.

The Orangemen
break the huddle,
first and 10.

Out of the full-house
backfield.

The give is to Ernie Davis.
Davis spins at the line
of scrimmage

where he's met
by a host of West
Virginia tacklers.

(WHISTLE BLOWS)

Get him off him!
Play football!

REFEREE: Huddle up, 70.

We will get no justice
from the refs tonight.

All right, guys.
We're gonna run it
till they stop it.

Right, full house.
495 dive, on one,
on one. Ready?

Break!
Break!

Same play!
Same play! Same hole. Run it.
Same play, same hole, on one.

Run it.
PLAYER: Strong left!

Thanks.
PLAYER: Set!

Second down at
six yards to go.

SARETTE: Hut one!

The Orangemen go back to
Ernie Davis. Davis is met
with a wall of Mountaineers.

And Davis reverses field
with a tremendous move.

What's he doing?

Davis picks up a big block

and with a stiff arm,
gets free into West
Virginia territory.

Shit, he's going in.

He's at the 20,
the 10, inside the 5!

(CROWD BOOING)

(WHISTLE BLOWS)

No! Knee down, right here.

It certainly appeared
from our vantage point here

that Ernie Davis has
scored on this play.

REFEREE: I got you
down at the 1.

You were down!

No, I got in,
Mr. Official.

Sir, I got in.
You saw me...

You want a
penalty, boy?

Get back in
that huddle now.

Brokaw, come here!
Yes, Coach.

Come on, son.
Go get us six. Go!

Davis, come in!
Come in, son. Come in.

Come on, son. Let's go.
For me?

You're holding up
the game. Let's go.
I got it.

First down Syracuse.

Why'd you pull me,
Coach? I took it down
there. Let me score.

If I let you carry
that ball across
the goal line,

all of us,
we might not get back
on that bus in one piece.

That's the way they
do things down here.

Sarette hands off to Brokaw,

who punches the ball home,

and the Orangemen
have grabbed a 6-0 lead

against the Mountaineers
on their own home turf.

(SIGHS)

Go home, blackie!

First down for the Orangemen.
Ball at the West
Virginia 42-yard line.

Sarette with the fake.

Ernie Davis across the left
side breaks the tackle and
gets into the open field.

BEN: Good run! Good run!

Brokaw, come here.
Yeah, Coach.

Strong right,
fullback wedge
eight. Go!

Ernie, Ernie!

Brokaw, get in there!

Right full house, 40 broom.
On one, on one. Ready.

Break!
Break!

SIMMONS: Davis,
get off the field.

WILL: Now, you got a white man
telling you what you can
and can't do...

...one hundred years
away from here...

Ref, time out. Time out.

You don't have any more.

MAN: We are still not yet...

You're just his
educated nigger.

They gonna be
looking up to you.

I think you owe them more
than just running a ball.

(CROWD EXCLAIMS)

(CROWD BOOING)

What the hell do you
think you're doing?

What did I tell you
about the rules down here?

What are you...
We just scored.
Bullshit.

You scored!
We're a team.
I'm the coach.

You're a goddamn running
back. You're my goddamn
running back,

and you will do
what I tell you,
when I tell you to do it.

Now, you plant your ass
down on that bench.

Am I invisible?

What?
Am I invisible to you?

Am I an X, an O in your
goddamn playbook, or do you
see a person standing here?

Am I Avatus Stone?
Am I Jim Brown?

Just a running back?
That's bullshit!

You're about
this close, Davis.

Come on, let's go.

You know, maybe,
just maybe, Coach,

the rules down here
are your rules, too.

That's enough.
Come on.

What?

You all right?

Yeah.

Good game.

Good game, Ben.
Mike?

I tried not to
run up the score.

I know. You just had
our number tonight.

Say, Ben, how many coloreds
you got playing for you?

Three, why?

You just be careful, Ben.
They got no discipline.

Too many of them
and they'll take
the team away from you.

Now, you give my
best to Reggie.

Coon-lover!

Can I sit down?

I'm sorry I lost my temper.

But I'm not sorry
I stayed in the game,
and I'm not sorry I scored.

Now, what kind of
an apology is this?

I've never walked off
the field for anybody.

(SIGHS)

These people down
here, they're dug in.

They're set in their
ways. We got...

Coach, that...

You're just hiding
behind those words.

I have a responsibility
to my team, Davis.

That's not how
it has to be.

Yes. Jack, Art and me,
we're all a part of your team.

But we can't run
across that goal line
down here without you.

It doesn't mean a damn
thing unless you're with us.

Is that it?

(SIGHS)

ANNOUNCER 1: And in
college football,
the Syracuse Orangemen

continue their dominance
of the Eastern Conference
with a 29-0...

ANNOUNCER 2: Fans,
I wish all of you
could be here

to see what these eyes
have just witnessed.

...brilliant
displays of athletic talent
I've seen on any gridiron.

Come on, guys!
Sustain your block!

...led by Ernie Davis,
from Elmira, New York.

ANNOUNCER 3: Another
jaw-dropping performance here
at Navy Memorial Stadium.

ANNOUNCER 2: I tell you
one thing, he's electrified
this crowd.

The unbeaten
Syracuse Orangemen...

ANNOUNCER 4: Davis,
who has been

nothing short of brilliant
today, reserves the victory

for coach Ben Schwartzwalder
and the Syracuse Orangemen.

ALL: (SINGING) ...nothing
but a hound dog

You know it!

Crying all the time

Well, you ain't never
caught a rabbit

And you ain't no
friend of mine

(ALL CHEERING)

SIMMONS: Settle down.
Listen up, boys.

All right, listen up.
Listen up!

PLAYER: Coach!

Gentlemen,
congratulations.

Undefeated with
a number one ranking
is something to be proud of.

ALL: Yeah!

But...

But...

Mr. Andreas
has informed me

that we have been offered
two different bowl games,

the Orange Bowl in Miami

and the Cotton
Bowl in Dallas.

Now, in Miami,
we would play Georgia,
ranked ninth in the polls.

And in Dallas, we would
play Texas, ranked second,
right behind us.

If we win either
game, we will be
the national champions.

Texas is the tougher
opponent, the tougher team.

But to be the best,
I believe you have
to beat the best.

So,I guess you
know how I would vote,
but this is your vote.

This is your team.
Your decision.

Texas.

PLAYER 1: Texas.

PLAYER 2:Texas.

PLAYER 3: Texas.

Texas.
Texas.

Texas.
Texas.

ALL: Texas.

Texas.

Texas.

Texas.

Looking forward to it!
Texas.

Texas.
Texas!

Texas.
Texas.

Texas.

A lot of people think
the Texas Longhorns

are the best team
in the nation.

One big reason is Clay Taylor.

Ail-American,
best Division One tackle
in the nation

three years in a row.

Now, some folks even think
that the only reason
that we are undefeated

is because we have not met
Clay Taylor and his teammates.

I want everyone to
take a good long look
at what we're up against here

because in Texas,
football is a religion.

You think we been south?

We ain't been south
till we go to Texas.

Schwedes,
give me a goose-step.

(ALL LAUGHING)

FAUBUS ON TV:
We are now faced
with a far different problem.

The forcible integration
of the public schools
of Little Rock

against
the overwhelming sentiment
of the people of the area.

CROWD: Two, four, six, eight!

We don't want to integrate!

Two, four, six, eight!

We don't want to integrate!

(BUS HORN HONKING)

KING: We still have
the attitude of love,

we still have the method
of passive resistance

and we are still
insisting emphatically,

that violence is
self-defeating.

That he who
lives by the sword
will perish by the sword.

(SIREN BLARING)

(ALL CLAMORING)

This is quite a ruckus.

Hey, Ernie,
Roger Page, Channel Nine.

They're calling this game
the North against the South.

In light of what's
going on in this country,

do you feel added pressure
to represent change?

We don't concern
ourselves with politics.

We're just here to
play a great football game

and take home
the championship.

To be honest, Mr. Page,
when I'm out on that field,

I only think about
winning the game.

But that doesn't mean
I don't know
the color of my own skin.

Let's check in.

We've got a problem, Ben.

What?

The Aristocrat Hotel
does not allow coloreds
to stay here.

I need my team together, Lew.

Now, you do whatever it takes
to make that happen.

What's the problem?
What's the problem here?

Right this way, gentlemen.

(COUGHS)

Fellas,
looks like we once again
found the Negro wing.

(WHISTLE BLOWS)

State seven!
State seven!

SARETTE: Set!
LUNDY: Double tight!
Double tight!

Wing left,
watch it.

(WHISTLE BLOWS)

Stop!

Do you think it is
the New York City Ballet

that's going to be
running up your ass
on New Year's day?

These are the goddamn
Texas Longhorns!

If you cannot
fight off blocks
better than that,

let's just
get on the bus
and go home.

Run the play again!

(ERNIE GROANS)

Shit!

My hamstring!

ANDREAS: This may be
a blessing in disguise.

Look at these.

Where did you get these?

Where did I get them?

They were
sent to the hotel
to your boys.

Scare tactics.

Doesn't have
a goddamn thing
to do with football.

We shouldn't play him.

Maybe not even Art or Jack
but especially Ernie.

The NCAA is on my back.

Even the Mayor of
Dallas is nervous,
afraid of race riots.

Lew, you hired me to win.

Well, I'm here at
the goddamn Cotton Bowl,

and this time
we're gonna win it.

So why don't you tell that
to the Mayor of Dallas?

I'm playing.
You hear me?
I'm playing.

You're goddamn right you are.

(CROWD CHEERING)

CBS ANNOUNCER: There's an
electricity in the air today
in Dallas.

And, as you can see
from the clear skies
behind me,

it's not
a local thunderstorm.

All eyes are on the field
as undefeated Syracuse,

the Beast from the East,

takes on Texas,
the power of
the Southwest Conference.

Do I need to say anything?

WILL: Come on, it's on!

Come on, it's on,
the Cotton Bowl.
Come on, Marie.

Come on. Come on. Come on.

All right, all right.

Get two ice teas,
please.

And the Cotton Bowl.

(LAUGHS)

Drop your heads.

ALL: Our Father,
who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come,
thy will be done...

George,
fancy seeing you here.

You taking a look at Davis?

I've seen him.

Really?

In a Redskins uniform?

I think he'd look better
in a Cleveland uniform.

Now, wouldn't that
be something?

ANNOUNCER: Ladies
and gentlemen, please give
a warm Texas welcome

to the Syracuse
University Orangemen.

With a phenomenal record
of 10-0,

Ben Schwartzwalder
and his mighty
Orangemen of Syracuse,

ranked number 1
in the nation,

take the field here
at the historic Cotton Bowl
in Dallas

to face Darrell Royal

and the second-ranked
Longhorns of Texas.

You ready for this?

I'm ready.

MAN: Get off the field!

ANNOUNCER: If the Orangemen
are going to be successful
moving the football today,

they're going to
have to go through
Clay Taylor and Pete Logan,

two very dominant
football players

and the defensive leaders
for the Longhorns.

Davis, hamstring.

Tails.

Syracuse receives!

That's what we wanted.

Go, boy.
PLAYER 1: Get them.

Ernie, if you get the ball,
go all the way.

PLAYER 2: Let's go!
Let's go!
PLAYER 1: Let's go,
four-four.

(CROWD CHEERS)

ANNOUNCER: And the 1960
Cotton Bowl is underway.

(GRUNTS)

Offense! Let's go!

ANNOUNCER: An incredibly
enthusiastic crowd on hand

as Syracuse lines up
for its first series.

I've been waiting
for this nigger.

SARETTE: Okie. Okie. Set!

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

Oh, yeah?
Too bad I'm from Philly.

ANNOUNCER: The give
is to Ernie Davis.

He gains two yards
and is brought down quickly
by Taylor and Logan.

LOGAN: We're in
the Cotton Bowl,
not the cotton patch, boys.

Personal foul, ref!
84!

84, ref.

ANNOUNCER: The handkerchief
on the field.

There appears to be
some late contact
by both Taylor and Logan.

Holding, offense!

(CROWD CHEERS)

That's bullshit.
Will!

But there,
did you see that?
I saw it.

You don't stop this quick,
it's gonna get out of hand.

That's one.
You've been warned.

"I've been warned."
What are you,
my first grade teacher?

ANNOUNCER: Sophomore Davis
is clearly favoring
his right leg

as he moves back to
the Orangemen huddle.

SARETTE: Okay, on one,
on one. Ready?

ANNOUNCER: The Orangemen
facing first and 20.

It's to Davis.

Runs to his left.
Looks to throw.

Now cuts back to the right

with a dazzling spin move,
and sheds the tackier.

He turns the corner.
He's in the clear.
He's gone!

BEN: Quick. Go! Go! Go! Go!

Go!

He's drilled out of
bounds at the 3-yard line.

And now Davis,
who's lying prone
on the sidelines,

appears to be
either exhausted or hurt.

(CROWD CHEERING)

/ can't believe
they caught him.

Ernie, get up!

Ernie! Ernie!

Ernie, you all right?

Daw's is finally
helped to his feet

by All-American
tackier Jack Buckley.

One has to wonder

just what kind of
shape Ernie Davis is in.
I told you.

Syracuse, first down
at the Longhorn three.

The give is to
the right halfback,
Gerhard Schwedes.

Outstanding block by Davis.

He crosses the goal line
to put Syracuse on the board.

Here in the second quarter

Coach Ben Schwartzwalder
and his top-ranked team
find themselves

on top of
the Texas Longhorns, 7-0.

SARETTE: Ready?
ALL: Break!

The Orangemen are knocking
on the door once again.

SARETTE: State seven!
State seven!

Set! Hut one.

The give is to Ernie Davis
and the sophomore
finds the end zone,

as the Orangemen
increase their lead
on the Longhorns!

So precisely when is it
you're going to

start kicking my
black ass back to Africa?

(SPITS)

Hey, Buckley!

Hey, come on, stay cool.

They're baiting us.
They're baiting them.

Hey, Logan, Taylor,
44 is embarrassing you.

And after
a successful
two-point conversion

the Orangemen of Syracuse
lead the Longhorns of Texas

by a score of 15-0.

McKinley on
a sweep to the right.

Bobby Lundy steps up
and there's a huge hit
on McKinley.

And the ball is loose,
recovered by the Orangemen

and Syracuse takes over.

ERNIE: Yeah.

ANNOUNCER: My,
that's a cheap shot.

A late hit by Talbert
on Ernie Davis

after the play
was whistled dead.

Back! Everybody,
back! Back! Back! Back!

You all right, son?
You okay?

I'm all right, Coach.

All right. You sure?
Yeah.

Offense on the field.
Let's go!

(CROWD JEERING)

Told you this would
get out of hand.
This is bullshit.

ANNOUNCER: Syracuse
will run one last play
before halftime.

Pack your bags, spook.

Scoreboard, eight-four.

Come on,
let's just play ball.

You defending this nigger?

How you gonna call yourself
a white Christian?

I'm Jewish.

Hut one!

(GRUNTS)

BEN: That's another late hit.

ANNOUNCER: And once again,
Ernie Davis is pummeled!

Break it up, ref!

Come on, ref,
do something.

(GRUNTS)

(CROWD CHEERING)

ANNOUNCER: And both teams
are clearing their benches

and heading to
the middle of the field.

Ref, I told you to
do something about this.

This has become a fiasco.
It's a donnybrook.

My God, no.
This...

This is no longer
a football game,
ladies and gentlemen.

WILL: Is somebody
gonna stop this?

... ugly display...

Get off! Get off the field!

PLAYER: Hey, Coach!

Get off of him!
Break it up!

Petey, you all right?

JACK: You guys see
what happened?

BELL: Come on,
cozy up to the blackboard.

JACK: You see
what happened, Lundy?
That's what I'm telling you.

You can't let people
talk to you like this,

be pounding on your leg
the whole time.

ERNIE: I know,
but you'll get ejected.
They won't.

You're done for the day.

We're up by 15.
We can take it from here.

Coach, I can
still get back out there
and play.

No, I want you to
put some ice on that leg.

I had a halftime speech
all planned out.

It seemed pretty good
up till about 10 minutes ago.

It was all about victory
and champions and glory.

But this is not
just a game anymore.

We're fighting something else
out on that field right now.

And I can see it
just as clearly as you.

And that's why
winning this one

means nothing
if you lose yourselves.

Don't give this one away.

Keep it. Hold on to it
for yourselves

and for everyone
in this room.

It's here. It's right here.

And no one can
take it from you, gentlemen.

Not the officials,
not the crowds

and certainly
not the other team.

It belongs to you, gentlemen.

Don't you let anyone
steal history away from you.

Glory!
Glory!

ANNOUNCER: As play resumes
here at the Cotton Bowl,

Ernie Davis has not joined
the rest of the Orangemen

for the second half.

Down 15 to nothing,
the Longhorns are

desperate to get
something on the board.

Bobby Lackey
drops back to pass.

And it's complete
to Bobby Gurwitz

for a 69-yard
Texas touchdown!

What a throw by
the Heisman-hopeful
quarterback from Texas.

ANNOUNCER 2: A 69-yard
touchdown pass caught by
number 24, Bobby Gurwitz.

Goal line,
goal line. Ready?

ANNOUNCER 1: Darrell Royal
and Texas opt to go for
the two-point conversion.

(GRUNTING)

Another walloping tackle
by Syracuse's Bob Lundy.

That'll mean
something later on.

ANNOUNCER: Midway
through the third quarter,

Syracuse
protecting a 15-6 lead
against the Longhorns.

PLAYER: Three.
SARETTE: Hut, hut!

Sarette with a fake to Baker.

Options to Schwedes.

Schwedes is
hammered by Muehling
and coughs up the ball.

All right! Let's go!

Protect the ball!

And watch out!
The Longhorns are building
some momentum.

Texas, knocking on the door
at the goal line.

Bobby Lackey
calls his own number
and finds the end zone.

The Longhorns have suddenly
given us a football game
here in Dallas.

Lackey drops back to pass,

and it's complete to Paul.

Syracuse 15, Texas 14.

The Longhorns have made it
a one-point game.

Tough break.

I mean, they probably
got it in hand.

Baker, Schwedes,
they're good backs.

But no sense in
getting hurt worse, right?

Entering the fourth
quarter of play,

the tension level here
at the Cotton Bowl
is palpable.

We let them
right back in the game.

Coach, Davis.

All right, boys,
keep your heads in the game.
Don't worry about it.

Ernie, what are you doing?

I need to talk to you, Coach.
I need you to ice that leg.

I already have.
I need to talk
to you for a sec.

No, no, you are not playing.
Just listen to me for a sec.

You can watch,
but you cannot play.

Just hear me out, Coach.

Coach, on the trip down here
I saw a lot of things
out that bus window.

Now, we get to Dallas,
they got me, Jack and Art

in a tiny room with cots.

We can't use the elevator
'cause we might
scare the white folks.

Can't even walk in
the front door of a hotel.

Now, all those people
who did that,

who believe that's right,
are watching.

But you know what,
so are they.

(CHEERING)

(SIGHS)

Can you even run?

Yes, sir.

I don't want to
hurt you anymore.

I'm ready.

All right.

Strong load right,
42 shovel pass.

Go.
Let's go, Ernie.

And now the 76,000 fans
at the Cotton Bowl
are stunned!

ANNOUNCER: Ernie Davis
has returned
to the playing field.

Let's go.

Man, that's Ernie Davis!

(ALL CHEERING)

LUNDY: Strong left.

SARETTE: Six regular!
Six regular! Tight.

ANNOUNCER: The Orangemen,
ball on their
own 40-yard line,

are desperate
for a first down

to keep the ball
out of the hands

of Longhorn quarterback
Bobby Lackey.

And the ball comes loose.

Texas has recovered.

His knee was down, ref.

First down, Texas!

Bad call, ref.

My knee was down, sir.

They're trying to
steal it from us.
I was down.

Franklin, Franklin,
get in there for Davis, go.

No. Get back.
I'm staying in.
I'm staying in.

Regulations!

ANNOUNCER: Texas on
the 40-yard line with the ball
and with the game's momentum.

Bobby Lackey
drops back to pass.

Throws down fie Id,
he's got a receiver open.

(CROWD CHEERING)

Go! Go!

All the way!
All the way!

That's the way.
Offense, offense,
let's go!

Let's take advantage.

BEN: Get out there. Let's go!

ANNOUNCER: First down,
10 yards to go from the 13.

Syracuse has to
move the chains

and keep the clock
ticking down

or put this game away
with another touchdown.

SARETTE: Hut one.

Yeah! Yeah, go, go, go!

He's behind you. Go!

That's it! That's it.

He got this. Go!

ANNOUNCER: An
unbelievable play!

Ernie Davis scoring

on an amazing
87-yard catch and run!

(CROWD CHEERING)

With the final seconds
ticking away...

Stay in the game.

Stay in the game.
It's not over.

...the Longhorns are looking
to tie this game up

with a last chance
shot at the end zone.

(ALL CHEERING)

(INAUDIBLE)

All right, ladies, settle
down. Settle down. Give me
your undivided attention. Hey!

It's just been announced,

the 1960 Cotton Bowl
MVP. Congratulations
to Mr. Ernie Davis.

(ALL CHEERING)

Ernie!
Congrats.

Come here.

Congratulations, brother.

All right,
everybody,
listen up.

This gentleman
wants to say something.

Go ahead.

What the man is trying
to say is that the trophy
ceremony in our honor

will be held at Oak Hill
Country Club tonight.

Great.
Very nice.

Unfortunately,
the Oak Hill Country Club
is color restricted.

Which means
that three of us,

including the player who was
awarded the Cotton Bowl MVP
today, cannot attend.

(ALL GROANING)

PLAYER: Seriously?

Ridiculous.

Now, how do we
feel about that?

I don't know about you,

but I hear they have
some great barbecue
down here.

(ALL EXCLAIMING)

(BAND PLAYING
ROCK 'N' ROLL MUSIC)

(SINGING)

(ALL CHEERING)

(ALL WHOOPING)

You read it.

"To Syracuse University
department of athletics.

"This is to inform
you that Ernest Davis

"has been selected
as one of the three
finalists for the..."

(CHUCKLES)

Congratulations, Ernie.

MAN: We're ready
for you, Mr. Davis.

MAN ON MIC:
...or witnessed
more closely...

Good luck, Mr. Davis.

Thank you, sir.

...the importance of the
gridiron or effected more
change in the game...

...than John W. Heisman.
So, it is with distinct
pleasure...

No matter what
happens up there,

I want you to know
that I'm really
proud of you, son.

...the memorial
trophy bearing his name.

The first is Ernest R. Davis
from Syracuse University.

Our next nominee
is Robert Ferguson,
Ohio State University.

Our third nominee
is James Saxton,
the University of Texas.

Congratulations.

Thanks, man.

The Heisman Trophy has,

since 1935, represented
everything that is great
about collegiate athletics.

And these three fine young
men represent their teams,
their schools

and their families
with honor.

The voting for
this year's award was
the closest in history

and each of these
players is deserving.

That said, the winner
of this year's Heisman
Memorial Trophy is

Ernest R. Davis from
Syracuse University.

(EXCLAIMING)

Congratulations.

Thank you.

Congratulations.

I appreciate it.

Congratulations, Ernie.
Thank you.

You did great.

(EXHALES)

First, I'd like to thank
the Heisman committee.

Sarah,

my family,

Mom,

Will,

and...

And Pops for
believing in me.

And Jim Brown
for letting me
wear his number.

(PEOPLE CHUCKLING)

I'd also like to
thank my head coach,
Ben Schwartzwalder,

for making me better,
being a good teacher,

and for being a good man.

Thank you, everyone.

Where exactly
are we going?

Right this way.

Ernie, I was in town
and I wanted to get
a chance to meet you.

I know today is a proud
day for you. You've really
accomplished something here.

Congratulations.

Thank you, Mr. President.

MAN: Fourth down, 9 yards.

Must be nice having
the number one draft
pick, huh, George?

I'm sure Ernie Davis
is a fine boy,

but I'll start signing Negroes
when the Harlem Globetrotters
start signing whites.

Mr. Modell, George Marshall
from the Washington
Redskins is on the phone.

Of course he is.

George, what
a surprise to
hear from you.

You do?
Okay, I'm listening.

LAWYER: It's all
over the wire.

The Redskins just traded their
number one pick to Cleveland.

You're a commodity now.

Yeah, you should listen to
your lawyer, man. He's right.
It's all business now.

Have you been sick recently?

No, I feel great.

I may be a commodity,
but this commodity is
playing for Cleveland.

Me and Jim Brown in
the same backfield.

You're gonna steal
his number again?

ERNIE: Oh! Oh!

Stop it.

I don't want to leave.

You don't have to leave.

I do.

I should bring you with me.

Just jump in my suitcase.
You know you can fit.

Oh!

Oh, no.
Oh, I slipped.

I'm sorry.

That was a mistake,
too. I'm sorry.
Uh-huh. Uh-huh.

I have to get
you a new blouse.

Look at you.

What are you doing?

He's at the 10.

(SARAH LAUGHING)
The 20, the 30...

The 40...

(EXCLAIMING)

Is that another
nose bleed?

You know,
Hound Dog says he
gets hit so hard,

he wakes up with blood on
his pillow. Doesn't even
know where it came from.

But you haven't been hit.

Ernie, you haven't
been hit. What...

Bus leaves for practice
in a half hour.

Be here when I get back?

I'll be here.

Right two to Maury,
right two to Maury.

QUARTERBACK: Set? Go!

MAN 1: Stop.
MAN 2: Change your block,
change your block.

Behind me,
the East team led by
Syracuse's Ben Schwartzwalder.

Ernie Davis goes
through the paces

in preparation
for Saturday night's
All-America game.

ASSISTANT COACH:
Davis look a little
sluggish to you?

He'll be fine.

QUARTERBACK: Tight right,
34 wide dig. Ready?

PLAYER: Come on!
ALL: Break!

QUARTERBACK: Okie. Okie.

Watch. Strong left.
Strong left!

PLAYER: Right!

(PANTING)

QUARTERBACK: Six box!
Six box! Set!

Hut! Hut!

(WHISTLE BLOWS)

All right, let's run
it again. Let's go.

It's all right.
You'll get them
next time. Come on.

(PANTING)

Ernie?

Ernie? You okay?

(INAUDIBLE)

He's got to have another
transfusion. He's lost
quite a lot of blood.

How'd he do that?
We're not sure.

He's gonna need
further tests.

So test.
Gentlemen.

(SIGHS)

Now what am I
supposed to
tell the press?

Mumps.
What?

He's got a bad
case of the mumps.

That's good.

(REPORTERS CLAMORING)

QUARTERBACK: Double tight!
Double tight! Down!

Set!

(PANTING)

Blue 3-21!

Blue 3-21!

Hut! Hut!

(PANTING)

(WHISTLE BLOWS)

ASSISTANT COACH: Hey, Ernie!

The man wants to see you.

PLAYER 1: All right,
get back.
PLAYER 2: Let's go.

Hey.

Hey, Mr. Modell.

Hey.
How are you?

I'm good. I've been
watching you.

You know,
new system and all.
Yeah, listen, Ernie.

All I need is some rest.
Yeah, the system is...

Once I get used to it...

All right.
Ernie, Ernie, Ernie,

I spoke with
Dr. Hewlett and...

Look, he doesn't know
what it is, but they know
something's not right, Ernie.

I should have told you
earlier, kid. I really
can't clear you for practice.

If I can't practice,
how am I gonna play?

You're not gonna
play. Not now.

And maybe not
this season.

(SIGHS)

(STAMMERS) Well, when?

I don't know.

I don't know, kid.

Get better, okay?
Your job is to get well.

Mr. Modell,
you don't understand.

Everything I got is
because of football.

I need to play.

Yeah.

Mr. Modell, please, sir.

Next year, kid.
We're counting on you
next year. Really.

(PANTING)

Thank you.

Thank you, sir.

Did you hear
back from the
teaching job yet?

Well?

They offered it to me.

That's great.

I told them I had
to think about it.

What's to think about?

The distance between
Cleveland and
Oakland for one.

Take it.

What?

Take the job, Sarah.

You've always said
you want to do something
with your life.

You didn't just
come to school
just to find a husband.

You're beautiful, smart.

Stick to that dream.

How sick are you, Ernie?

Look at me.

Sarah...

MAN: Ernie Davis?

I hate to disturb you,
but would you sign an
autograph for my son?

He's 12, and you're
his favorite player.

Gonna be great to see
you with the Browns.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

Leukemia.

It's a word that
jumps out at you.

/ know when
I first heard
it myself,

/ was...

/ was scared.

But I got a lot of
people In my corner,

good people,

standing beside me.

My doctors are confident.

They tell me
I'm responding well
to my treatment.

So, things are good.

And you know me.
I'm an optimist.
I'm gonna fight it.

/ hope to get on that
field and see you all in
that press box real soon.

Real soon.

(REPORTERS CLAMORING)

Mr. Davis, Tom Martin,
Saturday Evening Post.

I saw you play
in the Cotton Bowl
two years ago.

Okay.

I'm wondering if you'd like
to write an article for us.

You want me to
write an article?

/ don't know whether
you know this,

but you're an inspiration
to a lot of our readers.

There he is,
number 77.

He's as good as me?

Maybe better.

BEN: Hey, Ernie.

Ernie, this is Floyd Little.
Floyd, this is...

Ernie Davis.

2,386 yards,
360 carries,

6.6 yards a carry.

You good at math, huh?

(CHUCKLES)

FLOYD: You see, my plan
is to be just like you,

best Negro running
back in the NCAA,

Heisman Trophy
all the way.

Then the NFL,
make some money.

(LAUGHING)

You got it
all figured out,
don't you?

What kind of bottle
do you think this is?

Don't know.
Don't have a label.

Right.

It could be a soda bottle,

it could be a beer bottle,
it could be anything.

No label.

You see, I never set out to be
the best Negro running back.

I just wanted to be
the best running back.

The best football player
I could be. Period.

Look, now I'm...

Floyd, I'm never gonna
play for Cleveland.

Or any other team.

My playing days are over.

So don't you look
at that poster of me
on your wall and tell me

you want to be like me,
because that isn't enough.

You're gonna have to
do better than that.

You think you can?

Yes, sir.

Good.

But the thing is,
I told Notre Dame
I would sign with them.

(EXCLAIMS SOFTLY)

Floyd,
you know how Notre Dame
loves their passing game.

My fear is a talented
runner like yourself

may get stuck polishing
that Notre Dame bench
with your butt.

You don't want that.

(PLAYERS EXCLAIMING)

(DOOR OPENS)

I want to know something.

Coach?

What the hell did you
say to Floyd Little?

(SIGHS) Why? What happened?

Well, I'll be damned,
he backed out on Notre Dame.

He's coming to Syracuse.

Well, let's see.
I told him you like
your runners lazy,

and you like players
who backtalk.

Mmm-hmm.

Anything else?

I told him you
were a good coach.

(SIGHS)

I'm not gonna
lie to him, Ernie,

because I know
how hard it's
gonna be for him.

And I promise,
if he works hard,

he can run for that end zone
whether he's in Boston
or Mississippi.

And I won't tell him
that he's the next
Ernie Davis,

because there won't
be another Ernie Davis.

Can you believe they
suited me up to run on
the field and take a bow?

I'll be right
here with you, son.

ANNOUNCER: Please
welcome to the field,

number 45, from Syracuse
at halfback, Ernie Davis.

(CROWD CHEERING)

ERNIE: Mr. Martin,
in the end it turns
out you did me a favor

when you asked me to
write this for The Post.

You see, yesterday
was my 23rd birthday,

and compared to some, that
doesn't seem like a whole
lot of life to talk about.

Thing is, I don't
know how much more
is in front of me.

And as you see from
the number of pages,
if you've read this far,

/ did have a few things
to say, and I'm not sure
how to end this

or even if I want to.

It's funny. Most people
think my life has been
all about football.

I've even thought
that myself.

But football Is just a game.

What matters is
what you play for.

Sometimes, when the game
is close and everything
is on the line,

that's when you
forget the crowd
and the noise.

That's when it's just you
against somebody else to
see who is the better man.

That's what
I like about
the game.

Because at that
moment you are friends

and you are enemies

and you are brothers.