John David Crow Heisman Winner from...

July 8, 1935 - Marion, Louisiana - Texas A&M's famed halfback from 1955 to 1957, John David Crow, was born, and per the National Football Foundation’s bio on John David, had a very auspicious start in college football.

When the Aggies played Southern Methodist in 1955, an A&M sophomore took a punt at his own 40 and promptly lost 30 yards attempting to skirt the perimeter of the SMU defense; that was Crow. A few plays later, Crow lost another five yards on a sweep. The youngster headed to the sideline, fully expecting to feel the wrath of head coach Paul “Bear” Bryant, but instead the future Hall of Fame sideline boss merely informed him, "John, our goal is that way."  

The young player responded to his coach's instructions, averaging 4.9 yards per carry in his three years at Texas A&M. The Aggies had a 24-5-2 record during his career. In 1957, Crow was a 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. John David Crow's collegiate football records are celebrated in the College Football Hall of Fame after his induction in 1976. Crow stayed the course of the gridiron long after his collegiate playing days. He played in the NFL with both the Cardinals and 49ers, serving as captain on both teams.

He was an assistant coach under Bryant at Alabama and with Cleveland and San Diego in the National Football League. He was the head coach at Northeast Louisiana from 1976 through the 1980 season. Later, Crow served at Texas A&M as Associate Athletic Director from 1985 to 1988 and Director of Athletics from 1988 to 1993.