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!
SIMMONSĄG Davis, get off the field.
WILLĄG 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.
MANĄG 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 1ĄG And in college football, the Syracuse Orangemen
continue their dominance of the Eastern Conference with a 29-0...
ANNOUNCER 2ĄG 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 3ĄG Another jaw-dropping performance here at Navy Memorial Stadium.
ANNOUNCER 2ĄG I tell you one thing, he's electrified this crowd.
The unbeaten Syracuse Orangemen...
ANNOUNCER 4ĄG 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...
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.
ALL: Texas.
Texas.
Looking forward to it! 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,
All-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 TVĄG 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.
CROWDĄG Two, four, six, eight!
We don't want to integrate!
Two, four, six, eight!
We don't want to integrate!
(BUS HORN HONKING)
KINGĄG 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?
ANNOUNCERĄG 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!
ANNOUNCERĄG 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)
ANNOUNCERĄG And the 1960 Cotton Bowl is underway.
(GRUNTS)
Offense! Let's go!
ANNOUNCERĄG 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.
ANNOUNCERĄG 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.
ANNOUNCERĄG 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?
ANNOUNCERĄG Sophomore Davis is clearly favoring his right leg
as he moves back to the Orangemen huddle.
SARETTE: Okay, on one, on one, Ready?
ANNOUNCERĄG 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 tackler.
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)
I can't believe they caught him.
Ernie, get up!
Ernie! Ernie!
Ernie, you all right?
Davis is finally helped to his feet
by All-American tackler 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.
ANNOUNCERĄG 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.
ANNOUNCERĄG 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.
ANNOUNCERĄG And once again, Ernie Davis is pummeled!
Break it up, ref!
Come on, ref, do something.
(GRUNTS)
(CROWD CHEERING)
ANNOUNCERĄG 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!
ANNOUNCERĄG 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 2ĄG A 69-yard touchdown pass caught by number 24, Bobby Gurwitz.
Goal line, goal line, Ready?
ANNOUNCER 1ĄG 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.
ANNOUNCERĄG 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!
ANNOUNCERĄG 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.
ANNOUNCERĄG 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!
ANNOUNCERĄG Texas on the 40-yard line with the ball and with the game's momentum.
Bobby Lackey drops back to pass.
Throws downfield, 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!
ANNOUNCERĄG 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!
ANNOUNCERĄG 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.
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 MICĄG ...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.
MANĄG 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!
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.
I'm still trying to find my rhythm out there.
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.
I know when I first heard it myself.
I was...
I 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.
I 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?
I 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.
ANNOUNCERĄG Please welcome to the field,
number 45, from Syracuse at halfback, Ernie Davis.
(CROWD CHEERING)
ERNIEĄG 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.
I 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.