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Brad Crawford (American football)

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Brad Crawford
PositionCornerback / Kick returner
Personal information
Born:(1955-12-13)December 13, 1955
Logansport, Indiana, U.S.
Died:May 21, 2023(2023-05-21) (aged 67)
Winamac, Indiana, U.S.
Height5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight175 lb (79 kg)
Career history
CollegeFranklin (1974–1977)
High schoolWinamac Community (IN)
Career highlights and awards
  • NAIA Hall of Fame (1986)
College Football Hall of Fame (2000)

Bradley Neal Crawford (December 13, 1955 – May 21, 2023) was an American gridiron football player and dentist.

Biography

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Crawford attended high school in Winamac, Indiana, where be competed in football, baseball, and track and field,[1] graduating in 1974.[2] He initially planned to attend Purdue University and study biochemistry.[3] His older brother, Keven, encourage him to attend Franklin College in Indiana, which offered the younger Crawford a track scholarship.[1]

Crawford then played college football for the Franklin Grizzlies for the 1974 through 1977 seasons.[2] A defensive back, he set single-season and career interception records—9 and 25, respectively—for Franklin; these records still stood as of 2013.[2] He was recognized three times as a All-American defensive back within National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Division II schools,[3] becoming the first football player at Franklin to earn first-team honors, achieved during his sophomore season.[1][4] During his junior season, he had four interceptions in a game against Saint Joseph's College of Indiana.[5] Also a return specialist, he averaged 20.3 yards per return for his college career and had a 97-yard kickoff return during his senior season.[3]

Crawford also competed in track and field for Franklin, as a sprinter and in the long jump.[2] At the time he graduated from Franklin, he held the school's record in the long jump at 22 feet 10+3⁄4 inches (6.979 m).[3]

After graduating from Franklin in 1978, Crawford earned a medical degree from the Indiana University School of Dentistry in 1982.[2] He then worked as a dentist in Winamac.[2]

Crawford was inducted to the NAIA Hall of Fame in 1986,[6] Franklin College's athletic hall of fame in 1989,[7] and the College Football Hall of Fame in 2000.[8][9] In 2013, USA Football News initiated the Brad Crawford Defensive Back of the Year Award, awarded annually to a player in the NAIA or NCAA outside of Division I FBS.[10]

Crawford died in May 2023 at the age of 67.[6][11]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Melvin, Cliff (December 9, 1975). "Crawford—a real All-American". Daily Journal. Franklin, Indiana. p. 1. Retrieved October 9, 2023 – via newspapers.com.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Morwick, Rick (August 10, 2013). "Name (cont'd)". Daily Journal. Franklin, Indiana. p. C4. Retrieved September 15, 2023 – via newspapers.com.
  3. ^ a b c d Burrous, Ric (May 13, 1978). "Brad Crawford—end of a brilliant career for Franklin". Daily Journal. Franklin, Indiana. p. 6. Retrieved October 9, 2023 – via newspapers.com.
  4. ^ "NAIA All-American". Los Angeles Times. December 5, 1975. p. III-7. Retrieved October 9, 2023 – via newspapers.com.
  5. ^ "Grizzlies show staying power". Daily Journal. Franklin, Indiana. October 11, 1976. p. 6. Retrieved October 9, 2023 – via newspapers.com.
  6. ^ a b "Hall of Famer Brad Crawford Passes Away". Football Foundation. May 25, 2023. Retrieved August 9, 2023.
  7. ^ "Athletic Hall of Fame". franklingrizzlies.com. Franklin College. Retrieved September 15, 2023.
  8. ^ Brad Crawford at the College Football Hall of Fame
  9. ^ "Grizzlies star honored". Daily Journal. Franklin, Indiana. April 27, 2000. p. 7. Retrieved October 9, 2023 – via newspapers.com.
  10. ^ Morwick, Rick (August 10, 2013). "Name on award, but program shares honor". Daily Journal. Franklin, Indiana. p. C1. Retrieved September 15, 2023 – via newspapers.com.
  11. ^ "Obituary for Bradley N. Crawford". Rans Funeral Homes. May 21, 2023. Retrieved August 9, 2023.
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