The Express, Robert C. Gallagher
The Express, Robert C. Gallagher
List: $15.99 | Sale: $11.20
Club: $7.99

The Express
The Ernie Davis Story

Author: Robert C. Gallagher

Narrator: Paul Boehmer

Unabridged: 5 hr 40 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 09/29/2008

Synopsis

Ernie Davis was an All-American on the gridiron and a man of integrity off the field. A multi-sport high school star in Elmira, New York, Davis went on to Syracuse University, where as a sophomore he led his team to an undefeated season and a national championship in 1959, and earned his nickname: the Elmira Express. Two seasons later, Davis broke the legendary Jim Brown's rushing records and became the first black athlete to be awarded the Heisman Trophy.

The number-one pick in the 1962 NFL draft, Davis signed a contract with the Cleveland Browns and appeared to be headed for professional stardom. But Davis never ended up playing in the NFL; he was diagnosed with leukemia during the summer before his rookie season and succumbed to the disease less than a year later. In battling his illness, Davis showed great dignity and courage, inspired the nation, and moved President John F. Kennedy to eulogize him as "an outstanding man of great character who consistently served as an inspiration."

About Robert C. Gallagher

Robert C. Gallagher is an alumnus of Syracuse University and a freelance sportswriter. His articles have appeared in Baseball Digest, the Washington Post, the Redskins Report, and other publications. He works for the Fairfax County Public Library in Virginia.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Reborn on November 01, 2016

This book is far from well-written, but it's a quick, easy read and the story is amazing. Ernie Davis was raised in my hometown, and is a hero there. I was pleasantly surprised to read this book and find out that Elmira, NY, as a community is a far better place than I ever believed. It's a horrible sh......more

Goodreads review by Nancy on February 12, 2018

The subject of this book was worth more stars than one can give but I’m subtracting one star for the writing and the narration of the audio book to which I listened. But Ernie Davis! Now he was an amazing human being! His athletic abilities were fabulous but he was so much more. I do believe the wor......more

Goodreads review by Michael on December 09, 2017

Ernie Davis was an amazing inspiration and mentor to young and old, crossing all racial boundaries. He was the first African American to ever win the Heisman Trophy, and the first NFL player to ever have their number retired before they ever played a professional game. The author does an wonderful j......more

Goodreads review by Dave on October 10, 2024

The story of Ernie Davis is definitely a sad one. “The Express” is a fine retelling of the life and times of Ernie Davis and at times makes the reader wonder if the true story is being told. Davis’ young death is definitely tragic and his inability to play in the NFL at all drastically shortens the......more

Goodreads review by Martha on February 02, 2018

I had never heard of Ernie Davis until I saw the film about him. I just had to read the book! Everyone should know what a wonderful person he was, aside from his athletic abilities. The book I read was, I believe, written more for high school people than adults, but I found it heartwarming that both......more

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