Rob Brown stars as college football hero Ernie Davis in a drama based on the true story of the running back who smashed barriers on and off the field. (Photo by Chuck Hodes)

Rob Brown as Ernie Davis -- seen here wearing a No. 49 jersey. Davis later was given Syracuse's No. 44 jersey, which had been worn before him by Jim Brown. (Photo by Chuck Hodes)

In addition to becoming the first African-American to win the Heisman Trophy, Ernie Davis (Rob Brown) helped Syracuse win a national championship. (Photo by Chuck Hodes)

Omar Benson Miller as Syracuse University football player Jack Buckley, who -- along with Ernie Davis -- dealt with racial tensions as a member of the Syracuse football team. (Photo by Chuck Hodes)

Ernie Davis (Rob Brown) rushed for 2,386 yards and scored 32 total touchdowns in his three seasons playing for Syracuse. (Photo by Chuck Hodes)

Dennis Quaid stars as Coach Ben Schwartzwalder, who led the Syracuse Orangemen to the 1959 national championship. (Photo by Chuck Hodes)

(L to R) College football hero Ernie Davis (Rob Brown) gets grilled by Coach Ben Schwartzwalder (Dennis Quaid) in "The Express." Schwartzwalder is the winningest coach in Syracuse history. (Photo by Chuck Hodes)

(L to R) Fellow player Jack Buckley (Omar Benson Miller) runs with teammate Ernie Davis (Rob Brown). (Photo by Chuck Hodes)

Director Gary Fleder on the set of "The Express." (Photo by Chuck Hodes)

(L to R) Coach Ben Schwartzwalder (Dennis Quaid) speaks with legendary player Jim Brown (Darrin Dewitt Henson), who played for Schwartzwalder at Syracuse prior to Ernie Davis. (Photo by Chuck Hodes)

Dennis Quaid stars as Ben Schwartzwalder, who compiled a record of 153-91-3 in 25 seasons as Syracuse head coach. (Photo by Chuck Hodes)

(L to R) Coach Ben Schwartzwalder (Dennis Quaid) faces off against college football hero Ernie Davis (Rob Brown) in "The Express." (Photo by Chuck Hodes)

At least in the movie, Coach Ben Schwartzwalder (Dennis Quaid) and star running back Ernie Davis (Rob Brown) did not always see eye to eye. (Photo by Chuck Hodes)

Darrin Dewitt Henson as legendary Syracuse star -- and Cleveland Browns Hall of Famer -- Jim Brown. (Photo by Chuck Hodes)

Ernie Davis (Rob Brown) breaks free for a long run in "The Express." (Photo by Chuck Hodes)

(Lto R) College football hero Ernie Davis (Rob Brown), fellow player Jack Buckley (Omar Benson Miller) and Coach Ben Schwartzwalder (Dennis Quaid) in a scene from "The Express." (Photo by Chuck Hodes)

Director Gary Fleder on the set of "The Express." (Photo by Chuck Hodes)

In 1961, Ernie Davis (Rob Brown) became the first African-American to win the Heisman Trophy. (Photo by Chuck Hodes)

Nicole Beharie as Ernie Davis' girlfriend Sarah Ward. (Photo by Chuck Hodes)

Charles S. Dutton as Ernie Davis' grandfather, Willie "Pops" Davis. (Photo by Chuck Hodes)

(L to R) Ernie Davis (Rob Brown) and grandfather Willie "Pops" Davis (Charles S. Dutton). (Photo by Chuck Hodes)

(L to R) College football hero Ernie Davis (Rob Brown) and fellow player Jack Buckley (Omar Benson Miller) charm Gloria Baker (Linara Washington) and Sarah Ward (Nicole Beharie). (Photo by Chuck Hodes)

Ernie Davis (Photo by Syracuse University Athletics)

On the set of the film "The Express." (Photo by Syracuse University Athletics)

Dennis Quaid stars as Coach Ben Schwartzwalder who recruited Ernie Davis to play at Syracuse. (Photo by Universal Pictures)

College football hero Ernie Davis (Rob Brown) in a drama based on the true story of the running back who smashed barriers on and off the field. (Photo by Universal Pictures)

(L to R, foreground) College football hero Ernie Davis (Rob Brown) and Coach Ben Schwartzwalder (Dennis Quaid) during game action in "The Express." (Photo by Universal Pictures)

By all accounts, Ernie Davis (Rob Brown) often smiled in the face of adversity (Photo by Universal Pictures)

Rob Brown stars as college football hero Ernie Davis in a drama based on the true story of the running back who smashed barriers on and off the field. (Photo by Universal Pictures)