BALTIMORE ALUMS CRAWFORD, MURPHY HELPING OUT

by Stephen M. Lewis
DigitalSports Richmond

Mike Crawford and Jason Murphy have been there and done that when it comes to football on the high-school and college level.

They’re still playing professionally, too. What a help it was for about 120 of Richmond’s (VA) high-school players to receive tutelage from the Baltimore duo on two consecutive Saturdays.

Crawford and Murphy attended both Position Specifics clinics, for offense Feb. 2 and defense Feb. 9.

Crawford, a former strong safety at Virginia Tech and Patterson High School star, worked with linebackers and running backs. He’s currently playing semipro with the Virginia Cowboys of Richmond (Regional Atlantic Football League).

He also spent time with the Richmond Bandits of the Arena Indoor Football League before that.

“Sometimes I really felt like in Balitmore we didn’t have some of the opportunities that we are having now, or some of the camps that are being presented now,” Crawford said. “I just want to give back and help develop some of the kids like I wish I was more developed when I was back in Baltimore.”

Murphy, a former Virginia Tech standout and Edmondson High stud now with the Tennessee Titans, worked with the defensive and offensive lines.

“I enjoyed myself,” Murphy said. “I know the kids had fun, too. I feel like somebody definitely helped me out. Guys around my neighborhood and at my high school, they came back and helped me out. It’s definitely a good thing to give back.”

The duo met Kevin Lewis, one of the founders of Position Specifics – a year-round football training program – while they played at Tech. Also at both events was Lewis’ younger brother, Seattle Seahawks defensive lineman Jonathan Lewis.