Webat times stirring, inspiring and thoughtful, “the express” tells the life story of football player ernie davis, who in 1961 became the first african american to win the. In 1961, he became the first. Webernie davis became the first african american to win the heisman trophy before his life was tragically cut short by leukemia at the age of 23. Webthe story goes that john lacked the nerve to ask sylvia out, claiming he was broke and had no car. Ernie threw him the keys to the edsel, handed him $5 and. Weba motion picture biography, the express: The story of ernie davis by.