Ernie Davis (Rob Brown (actor)) is a young African American growing up in Pennsylvania with his uncle Will Davis Jr. (Nelsan Ellis), in the late 1940s during a time of racism and discrimination. Davis lives with his extended family, including his grandfather, Willie 'Pops' Davis (Charles S. Dutton), who guides and educates him. Davis' mother, Marie Davis (Aunjanue Ellis), eventually returns to their residence to inform the family that she has remarried and can now afford to raise Ernie at her own home in Elmira, New York, New York (state). Upon relocating to Elmira, Davis enrolls in a Small Fry Football League and excels on the field as a running back.