INDIANAPOLIS—
Could you blame him if he feels a little isolated. It's not intentional, of course.In the push up drill line at St. Vincent's Sports Medicine's facility on the Northwest Side of Indianapolis, there is a lot of twenty-somethings hoping to make their NFL dreams come true. They are fresh-faced an eager to enter the world not long after college.
Then, just left of center, is Brandon Crawford. Just out of school, yes-but his twenties have come and gone.
"I'm just out here to give myself a chance," said the former Ball State defensive end, who is training with St. Vincent's Sports Performance to try and impress scouts at individual workouts this spring.
See: Others Train For NFL Workouts At St Vincent's Sports Performance
Oh bye the way, he'll be doing that at the ripe age of 33-a full decade ahead of his training counterparts.
"It's just a number," insists Crawford. "I always tried to take it one step at a time."
After high school at Fort Wayne South Side in 1996, those stops along the way included a factory, the US Marines, then two tries at Ball State before finally starting his playing career in Muncie in 2006. He finished his senior season with 35 tackles, 11.5 for loss including three sacks while forcing two fumbles.
"I always pushed to be the best that I could be at what I was doing and learn it to the best of my ability," said Crawford of his attitude since arriving at Ball State. "If I did that to the best of my ability, I think I would give myself a chance."
See: More Coverage From 2010 NFL Combine
Now that he has one when it comes to playing professional football, its his age that may actually give him a slight advantage. From 1996-his senior year at South Side-to his 2006 debut for the Cardinals, Crawford was primarily off the football field, and would arrive with less wear than some others at his age.
"My body has only been playing college football for four years," pointed out Crawford, noting the football that he's played at his age. "The average person in the NFL my age has been playing maybe ten or 15 years, so their body has been through a lot more than I have."
While some could argue that age has caused some of his potential to wear off physically, his experience before playing football again could prove valuable for teams looking at Crawford from a character perspective.
"They would be able to say 'OK, this guy has this military experience to where the discipline comes in to play, being to meetings on time, being able to be accountable," said Crawford, referencing his time in the Marines. "Knowing what it is to be on a team, apart of a team in a stressful situation when things are going not the way you want them to go."
Read: Brandon Crawford Forces Fumble In Final Game Of Ball State Career
At the very least, he's helped his small training group at St. Vincent's, where his age isn't the only thing that has stood out.
"It's very unique for what we are doing, but that perspective's very good," said program director Ralph Reiff. "The guys in the program, all 16 of the guys, have really accepted, embraced and really learned from Brandon."
