SYRACUSE - Syracuse University unveiled a statue of former Orange running back Ernie Davis on Saturday, a day after the world premiere of a movie about his amazing life.

On Friday night, former Syracuse greats Jim Brown, Floyd Little, Art Monk, Don McPherson, and 40 members of the unbeaten 1959 team that won the national championship were at the Landmark Theatre downtown for the opening of “The Express.”

Davis was the star of that championship team and in 1961 became the first black player to win the Heisman Trophy. He died of leukemia in 1963 at age 23 before playing a down in the NFL.

A video replay of the statue unveiling was played during a ceremony at halftime of Syracuse's game against Penn State.

“I just want to say it's an absolute honor to be here,” said actor Rob Brown, who plays Davis in the movie and was wearing No. 44 made famous by Brown, Davis and Little. “Thanks for the love you've shown us.”

Director Gary Fleder and actor Dennis Quaid, who plays former Syracuse coach Ben Schwartzwalder, were among the cast members who addressed the Carrier Dome crowd of 45,795.

“Thank you Ernie Davis, thank you Ben Schwartzwalder,” said Quaid, who along with Brown was an honorary captain for the game. “This is a place that has a lot of heart and a lot of soul.”