Quaid goes back to roots for 'Express'

Rex Features

Dennis Quaid has revealed that he went back to his roots for new American football film The Express.

The actor plays a coach in the '50s-set drama, which is based on the life of African-American sportsman Ernie Davis.

He said the movie, which deals with racial segregation, reminds him of his childhood years in Texas.

"I remember those times. I remember being a kid and [having] separate restrooms and separate drinking fountains and Ernie Davis was able to walk through some doors and break down some barriers in a quietly graceful way," the Smart People star remarked.

He added: "It's a very emotional story... It's set in 1959 when racial tensions were high in this country before the civil rights movement bubbled up and in the time of segregation."