Remembering the life of John David Crow

Bear Bryant made his feelings crystal clear when asked about John David Crow’s chances to win the 1957 Heisman Trophy.

“If John David Crow doesn’t win the Heisman Trophy,” Bryant growled, “they ought to stop giving it.”

Of course, Crow did receive that prestigious trophy from the Downtown Athletic Club. Yet, Crow always gave more than he got, especially to Texas A&M.

He gave his all. He gave his time. He gave his life.

That life ended Wednesday night. Crow passed away peacefully while surrounded by family. He was 79.

It’s another tremendous loss for Texas A&M, which in recent years has lost Jack Pardee, Larry Kelm, Rodney Thomas, Polo Manukianiu, among others.

Yet, Crow’s loss will be felt most of all. If there was an A&M version of Mount Rushmore Crow would absolutely be on it. The other three faces could be debated, but Crow’s would be a unanimous choice.

Crow didn’t just play for A&M. In many ways he lived for A&M.

He lived in College Station. He died here. His statue stands outside Kyle Field. For decades he was Texas A&M’s most identifiable football player. Every year he’d attend the Heisman Trophy ceremonies as A&M’s (and Bryant’s) only Heisman recipient until Johnny Manziel joined him in that select fraternity in 2012.

“I’ve been very fortunate because I was Coach Bryant’s only player to win this thing (Heisman), or I should say, to accept this award because I have always said that I accepted it on behalf of my teammates and my coaches and the university,” Crow told TexAgs radio in 2012. “Like they say, it doesn’t matter what you do, you’re always the Heisman winner.”

That’s true. Fans, writers, broadcasters, donors, teammates were seemingly always wanting to talk to A&M’s first Heisman winner.

He’d typically oblige, but always gave credit to Bryant.

 “So many people asked him about the ’57 Heisman and he always struck me as a humble person,” author and A&M historian Rusty Burson said about Crow. “He was always quick to give credit to Bear Bryant for winning the Heisman for what he told sports writers. But when you talk to his teammates they would go on and on about what an absolutely great defensive player he was and an outstanding running back he was.

“I saw him in New York for the Heisman ceremony when Johnny Manziel won. I remember how delighted he was to welcome another Aggie to that exclusive club.”

Those who knew Crow best said that was just his character. He didn’t need to be A&M’s “only Heisman recipient.” He didn’t want to be. He wanted what was best for A&M.

 “He was an incredibly loyal person,” Burson said. “He was incredibly loyal to Texas A&M. He was incredibly loyal in his relationship to Bear Bryant and his teammates. He was loyal in his Faith. I admired his loyalty and commitment to his wife.”

John David Crow lived a loyal life. He did not, however, live a charmed life.

No one who’s endured the agony of outliving a child would consider their life charmed.

He lost his son, John David Jr., in a tragic accident in 1994.

Yet, there’s no question that John David Crow lived an exceptional life.

Recruited out of Springhill, La., was one of Bryant’s first prize recruits at Texas A&M. He would develop into a hard-hitting defensive back and a hard-running halfback. He would earn All-American recognition the year before he won the Heisman. He scored A&M’s first touchdown in the south end zone at Texas’ Memorial Stadium.

Even when Crow did something seemingly wrong it turned out to be the stuff from which legends are made.

As the story goes, Bryant glared angrily when Crow laughed at a joke on the bus ride to the stadium for the game at Arkansas in 1955. That game ended in a 7-7 tie.

Two years later, Bryant hadn’t forgotten – or forgiven -- Crow’s chuckle. So the day before the game Bryant again glared at Crow.

“Coach Bryant was talking to us and out of the blue he looked at me and said, ‘Crow, you owe us a game. You didn’t take the last damn game up here seriously,’” Crow once recalled.

Crow responded by rushing for 116 yards, scoring a touchdown and then making a game-saving interception at the goal line in a 7-6 victory.

Crow eventually was the second player selected in the 1958 NFL draft. He played 11 NFL seasons with the Chicago/St. Louis Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers. He played in four Pro Bowls. He was named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the ‘60s. He twice was voted by 49ers teammates to receive the “Len Eshmont Award” for the most inspirational and courageous player.”

Eventually, he returned to Texas A&M as athletic director. When he left that post he remained in Aggieland and assisted in fund raising. Football helmets with his and Manziel’s signatures were auctioned for more than $12,000.

He always represented A&M and all it stands for with class and dignity.

It’s only right that he passed away where he loved living.