Member Biography

It was hardly an impressive beginning. Texas A&M was facing Southern Methodist in 1955 when A&M sophomore John David Crow took a punt at his own 40 and promptly lost 30 yards attempting to skirt the perimeter of the SMU defense. A few plays later, Crow lost another five yards on a sweep. Crow returned to the sidelines expecting a tongue-lashing from coach Paul "Bear" Bryant. Instead, Bryant merely informed him, "John, our goal is that-away." From that moment on, John David Crow never stopped running "that-away". He was 6-2, weighed 210-pounds, ran the 100-yard dash under ten seconds, and averaged 4.9 yards a carry in his three years at Texas A&M. The Aggies had a 24-5-2 record for his career. In 1957, Crow was unanimous All-America halfback, won the Heisman, was named Player of the Year by the Walter Camp Foundation and Washington Touchdown Club, and Back of the Year by United Press. He played professionally with the Cardinals and 49ers (1958-68), and served as captain on both teams. He was an assistant coach under Bryant at Alabama (1969-1971), and with Cleveland and San Diego in the National Football League (1972-75). He was the head coach at Northeast Louisiana (1976-1980). He served Texas A & M as Associate Athletic Director from 1985 to 1988 and Director of Athletics from 1988 to 1993.