Floyd Little portrayed in The Express

[The Moops]

Go see The Express, the Ernie Davis story, which opens this Friday.

For those of you who don't know, Ernie Davis was the 2nd great runner to wear #44 at Syracuse. Jim Brown was the 1st. After Ernie graduated, a guy named Floyd Little was tearing it up at Bordentown Military Institute in 1962. He had 47 football scholarship offers. At the top of his list was Notre Dame and Army.

That's before he got a visit from Ernie Davis, who showed up at his doorstep on a snowy night in December, 1962. Davis convinced Floyd to go to Syracuse to become the 3rd great runner to wear #44. Without giving the dramatic part of that story away, the rest is history.

Floyd's character is portrayed in the movie. But that's not why you should go. This is a movie that should have been told decades ago. Ernie Davis was the kind of guy you would want your son to grow up to be. Not surprising, Floyd is also.

[Kaylore]

I <3 Little. He literally saved the Broncos. I would have grown up without a football team without Floyd Little. I wish other Bronco fans knew what he did for the franchise.

[LittleFloyd]

Perhaps THE EXPRESS will open some peoples eyes about what a terrific player Floyd Little was.

For those of you who don't know, jersey #44 at Syracuse was reserved for the best RB. Jim Brown, Ernie Davis and Floyd Little are examples of the #44.

[Los Broncos]

Looking forward to seeing this film.

I did read something on it saying just wait for it to come to film.

But being a die hard football fan, most people will go see I guess.

[Bronco LB 59]

My father went to West Point in the 60s and attended a game when Little ran all over Army.

[Bladerunner]

this movie looks like it will be good in the formulaic way of Remember the Titans or that movie about Texas Western winning the NCAA backetball title...

the only thing with this movie is I've been watching previews on it for what seems like 6 straight months...to be frank it's kind of tired

[Eli_Cash]

Ernie Davis is from my hometown.

Deserves the recognition even if it seems a little late....

[The Moops]

In 2005, Syracuse retired the #44 and put out a DVD about the 3 great runners who wore it . . . Jim Brown, Ernie Davis, and Floyd Little.

A huge jersey with #44 hangs in the rafters at the Carrier Dome now.

[MileHighMagic]

this movie looks like it will be good in the formulaic way of Remember the Titans or that movie about Texas Western winning the NCAA backetball title...

the only thing with this movie is I've been watching previews on it for what seems like 6 straight months...to be frank it's kind of tired

I kinda was feeling the same way but after reading the OP's comments, I think I will check it out now.

[Hogan11]

Ernie Davis is from my hometown.

Deserves the recognition even if it seems a little late....

EFA!!

[Hogan11]

I live in Davis's area and the deal they've made about this movie opening, you just wouldn't believe. He's never been overlooked or forgotton in these parts.....only Mark Twain is a bigger local legend.

[broncosteven]

I <3 Little. He literally saved the Broncos. I would have grown up without a football team without Floyd Little. I wish other Bronco fans knew what he did for the franchise.

Me too, unfortunatly I have to wait for DVD, 2 kids at home, no time for movies anymore.

[The Moops]

I have a 4-month-old son at home. Do what we're doing.

I will watch him Monday night while the wife sees The Duchess (chick flick)
I will watchhim Tues night while I see The Express!!

[broncosteven]

I have a 4-month-old son at home. Do what we're doing.

I will watch him Monday night while the wife sees The Duchess (chick flick)
I will watchhim Tues night while I see The Express!!

Good idea,

I sent you a PM.

[The Moops]

Excellent article in RMN by Sam Adams on

FLOYD LITTLE

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/oct/08/floyd-little-was-the-schools-first-to-rush-for-a/

[The Moops]

Finally, saw The Express last night.

Great story. Well done! But a few inaccuracies . . . especially with the way Ernie Davis connects with Floyd Little at the end.

If you haven't seen the movie yet, you're probably going to wait for DVD, so here goes.

In the movie Ernie Davis and Ben Schwartzwalder go to New Haven, CT to recruit Floyd Little. They watch him at practice wearing #77, before Davis talks to him afterwards about being the next great back to wear #44 at Syracuse.

In real-life Ernie and Ben make a surprise appearance at Floyd's doorsteps in New Haven on a snowy night in December. Floyd had just finished up his final year at Bordentown Military Institute (a junior college) in New Jersey where he wore #77, and had just gotten home after visiting Army. They take him to a fancy restaurant where Ernie talks to Floyd in the bathroom for 40 minutes about Syracuse. Fearing his food is getting cold Floyd tells Ernie that he will go to Syracuse, even though he had 47 other scholarship offers he was still considering.

In the movie, Ben tells Ernie that he got a call from Floyd and that thanks to Ernie, he's decided to go to Syracuse.

In real-life, Floyd finds out that Ernie passed away. Not knowing Ernie had been ill, Floyd is overcome with grief. He realizes he had given Ernie his word that he would go to Syracuse. So he calls Schwartzwalder and tells him he's keeping his word and carrying on the tradition of #44.

I think the real-life version is more inspirational and emotional, but if you see the movie you'll see why they changed it.

[slyinky]

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