这部电影改编自美国著名的橄榄球好手厄尼·戴维斯(Ernie Davis)的生平,他是第一位获得美国大学橄榄球联盟最高奖项海斯曼奖(Heisman Trophy,相当于最有价值球员)的非裔美国人。他在1960和1961年带领锡拉丘兹大学橄榄球队两次获得全国冠军。但他毕业后,未能参加职业橄榄球比赛,因为他被诊断出患有白血病,第二年他就遗憾地告别了人世。This biopic focuses on the relationship of Ernie Davis (1939-1963), a gifted African-American athlete, and his coach from 1958 to 1962 at Syracuse University, Ben Schwartzwalder (1909-1993). Schwartzwalder recruits Davis with the help of All-American running back, Jim Brown. The civil rights movement is gaining steam; Davis experiences prejudice on campus, in town, and on the field, sometimes from teammates. How he handles it and how he challenges Schwartzwalder to stand up for his players provide a counterpoint to several great seasons that lead first to a national championship and then to the Heismann Trophy.