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Legendary Aggie John David Crow Passes Away At Age 79

Crow represented Texas A&M his entire life, on and off the field.

Yesterday Aggieland lost one of its greatest as John David Crow passed away surrounded by his loved ones.

Crow played football at halfback in a gritty era of football where the forward pass - though not a novelty anymore - was hardly the preferred method of advancing the ball. Crow was not only Texas A&M's first Heisman trophy winner, but the only player under legend Paul "Bear" Bryant to win the honor. And though he missed out on the famous "Junction Boys" camp, he was a part of the first Texas A&M team to win a football game at Darryl K. Royal stadium.

Crow went on to play 11 seasons in the NFL for the Cardinals and 49ers, earning 4 Pro Bowl appearances. He would later work as an assistant coach under Bryant as well as the Chargers and Browns, before being named as the head football coach and athletic director for Northeast Louisiana University.

In 1983 John David Crow returned to Aggieland as assistant athletic director under Jackie Sherrill. From 1988 to 1993 Crow served as athletic director at Texas A&M. After his resignation he continued to work closely with the university and the athletic department for years.

John David Crow was a great man, a legendary player, and a true servant of others. He will be sorely missed.