Eddie Crowder

Eddie Crowder was born in Arkansas City, Kansas, and raised in Muskogee, Oklahoma, where he quarterbacked Muskogee Central to the 1948 state title. He was on Oklahoma's first national title team in 1950, then quarterbacked OU to Big Seven titles in 1951 and 1952 as an All-American quarterback and safety. The New York Giants drafted him in the second round, 22nd overall, in 1953, but a nerve problem in his throwing arm led him to decline. He served in the Army, quarterbacked the Fort Hood team, and played briefly for Edmonton, winning all four of his starts under coach Darrell Royal before being cut over import limits. He became head coach and athletic director at Colorado in the 1960s and 1970s. He died on September 9, 2008. The Daily Oklahoman wrote on January 23, 1953 (NewsBank page 24): "THREE Oklahoma University football stars singled out in the professional draft expressed interest in pro careers Thursday, but a fourth, quarterback Eddie Crowder, said it was doubtful he would enter the pro ranks." The same article says: "NEW YORK-Eddie Crowder, Oklahoma quarterback; Dick Bowman, Oklahoma guard. [box text partly spaced; read from scan]."