Highlighted Year: Lindon Crow, 1956

Defensive Halfback, Chicago Cardinals

Age: 23

2^nd season in pro football & with Cardinals

College: Southern California

Height: 6’1”   Weight: 187

Prelude:

Crow played both baseball and football in college and as a sophomore moved into the starting lineup as a defensive back and wingback on offense. He captained the team in 1954 and was chosen by the Cardinals in the second round of the 1955 NFL draft. A raw talent, Crow intercepted three passes during his rookie season.

1956 Season Summary

Appeared in all 12 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Interceptions – 11 [1]

Int. return yards – 170 [6]

Int. TDs – 0

Punt Returns

Returns – 1

Yards – 21

TDs – 0

Awards & Honors:

2^nd team All-NFL: AP

Pro Bowl

Cardinals went 7-5 to finish second in the NFL Eastern Conference while leading the league in interceptions (33).

Aftermath:

Crow was shifted to safety in 1957 and, while his interception total dropped to one, he was again a Pro Bowl selection. He was traded to the New York Giants and moved back to defensive halfback for the next three years, once again receiving Pro Bowl as well as second-team All-NFL honors from the New York Daily News in ’59. He was dealt to the Los Angeles Rams in 1961, where he played safety and eventually became a player/coach, getting by on savvy as his speed diminished. Overall in a ten-year career that ended in 1964, Crow intercepted 38 passes, 15 of which came with the Cards, and two of which he returned for touchdowns. He also recovered nine fumbles, one of which was run back for a 65-yard TD. Crow twice received second-team All-NFL recognition and was selected to three Pro Bowls. His brother Wayne was a halfback and punter in the AFL with Oakland and Buffalo.

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Highlighted Years features players who were consensus first-team All-League* selections or league* or conference** leaders in the following statistical categories:

Rushing: Yards, TDs (min. 10)

Passing: Yards, Completion Pct., Yards per Attempt, TDs, Rating

Receiving: Catches, Yards, TDs (min. 10)

Scoring: TDs, Points, Field Goals (min. 5)

All-Purpose: Total Yards

Defense: Interceptions, Sacks

Kickoff Returns: Average

Punt Returns: Average

Punting: Average

*Leagues include NFL (1920 to date), AFL (1926), AFL (1936-37), AAFC (1946-49), AFL (1960-69), WFL (1974-75), USFL (1983-85)

**NFC/AFC since 1970