Texas A&M legend John David Crow dies at age 79

COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Texas A&M legend and 1957 Heisman Trophy winner John David Crow passed away late Wednesday night at the age of 79, according to Texas A&M University.

A statement from the university read in part: 

"Crow was born July 8, 1935 and grew up in Springhill, Louisiana where he earned All-America honors in football and also lettered in basketball and track. He was recruited to Texas A&M by Head Coach Paul "Bear" Bryant. 

"Crow played 11 seasons in the NFL serving as a team captain of the Cardinals and finishing his career playing and serving as a team captain for the San Francisco 49ers. He was a four-time selection to the Pro Bowl and was named to the All-Pro team of the 1960's as a halfback. 

After his playing career, Crow went into coaching. He began with Coach Bryant on the Alabama coaching staff and also coached on the NFL level with the Cleveland Browns and the San Diego Chargers.

"He was named the head coach and athletics director at Northeast Louisiana University, now known as the University of Louisiana Monroe.

"Crow would continue to serve Texas A&M as the Director of Athletic Development from 1993 until he officially retired from Texas A&M University in June of 2001. In his role, Crow was responsible for the endowment of several scholarships as well as overall fundraising for the athletics department.

"Crow was inducted into the Texas A&M Hall of Fame in 1968, the Louisiana Hall of Fame in 1976 and was named to the National Football Foundation Hall of Fame in 1976 and the Texas Sports Hall of Fame in 1982. In 2004, he was named a Distinguished Alumnus by Texas A&M and was recently honored during the Aggies' first year in the Southeastern Conference as an SEC Legend at the 2012 SEC Championship Game."