The Express (2008)

Based On the Life of: Ernie Davis

Starring: Rob Brown        

Movie Budget: $40 million

Star Salary: $100,000

A sports drama starring Rob Brown and Dennis Quaid, The Express won an ESPY Award for Best Sports Movie. The film is based on Ernie Davis: The Elmira Express, a biography by Robert Gallagher. Ernie Davis was a football player who overcame obstacle after insurmountable obstacle to become an NCAA player at Syracuse University.

He became one of the greatest players in Syracuse history, and—in 1961—he was the first Black player to win a Heisman. Sadly, Davis was diagnosed with leukemia in 1962 and died at the young age of 23, before he had a chance to play in the NFL.