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Larry Crawford, defensive back for the B.C. Lions. Source: https://alchetron.com/Larry-Crawford (May be subject to copyright) |
Larry Crawford, stand out defensive back for the B.C. Lions, was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall Of Fame, and it brought back memories of his play in the secondary, but also the team he played with.
In the beginning
Larry Crawford joined the B.C. Lions in 1981 from Iowa State University, appearing in all 16 games, and intercepting eight passes, returning them for 133 yards and one touchdown.
Larry Crawford joined the B.C. Lions in 1981 from Iowa State University, appearing in all 16 games, and intercepting eight passes, returning them for 133 yards and one touchdown.
It was a solid rookie season, and a sign of things to come.
The following season in 1982, he had four interceptions, returning them for 41 yards.
He was set to break out the next season.
Success
The Edmonton Eskimos had dominated the CFL West Division, and the whole league, from 1978 to 1982, winning five straight Grey Cups.
The Edmonton Eskimos had dominated the CFL West Division, and the whole league, from 1978 to 1982, winning five straight Grey Cups.
The year 1983 signaled a changing of the guard, and the ascendance of the B.C. Lions in the West Division. They finished first in the West with a record of 11-5, and defeated Winnipeg in the West Final. However, they lost to Toronto in the Grey Cup, played at home in front of close to 60,000 fans at B.C. Place in Vancouver.
Larry Crawford had a career season, with 12 interceptions, returning them for 172 yards and two touchdowns. He was a West Division all-star and a CFL all-star.
In 1984, Crawford intercepted five passes, returning them for 165 yards, and returned one fumble for a touchdown. He was again named a West Division and CFL all-star.
The 1985 season saw the Lions put it all together. They finished first in the West Division with a record of 13-3, defeated Winnipeg in the West Final, then beat Hamilton in the Grey Cup for their first championship since 1964.
Crawford appeared in 10 games that season, intercepting five passes and returning them for 15 yards.
He returned to full-time duty in 1986, intercepting nine passes and returning them for 170 yards and a touchdown. Once again he was a West Division and CFL all-star.
In 1987, Crawford intercepted three passes, returning them for 66 yards, and was again a West Division and CFL all-star.
The Lions returned to the Grey Cup in 1988, losing to Winnipeg, after defeating Saskatchewan in the West Semi-final and Edmonton in the West Final.
Crawford intercepted five passes, returning them 28 yards, and was again a West Division all-star.
Final season
Crawford started the 1989 season with the Lions, where he played in three games. He was traded to Toronto, where he appeared in four games and had one interception, returning it 20 yards.
Crawford started the 1989 season with the Lions, where he played in three games. He was traded to Toronto, where he appeared in four games and had one interception, returning it 20 yards.
He retired after the 1989 season, with 52 career interceptions, good enough for fifth place all time up to that point. Crawford had 16 quarterback sacks, including a career high six in 1986, four in 1987, and three in 1985. He also recovered 13 fumbles, returning one for a touchdown.
The CFL only started recording tackles as a statistic in 1987. That year Crawford had 38 tackles. In 1988, he had 34, and in 1989 he had 17.
Crawford was also a deadly returner, returning punts for a total of 4,159 yards and three touchdowns, all in 1987, and kicks for a total of 1,944 yards. When he retired, he was second all-time in punt return yardage.
In 2023, he was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall Of Fame.
Parting thoughts
Initially, Larry Craweford was the other Crawford, because Rufus Crawford of the Hamilton Tiger Cats was better known at the time for his exploits as a runningback and receiver.
In 2023, he was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall Of Fame.
Parting thoughts
Initially, Larry Craweford was the other Crawford, because Rufus Crawford of the Hamilton Tiger Cats was better known at the time for his exploits as a runningback and receiver.
But Larry Crawford would soon make a name for himself on the defensive side of the ball, becoming one of the best defensive backs in the game.
Too often, these great players got lost in the mists of time.
I am glad Larry Crawford didn’t, because he too is hall of fame in my book.
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