Sylvester Croom

Bio

Highlighted by a national championship, Sylvester Croom was a leader at center during one of the most successful runs in Alabama history. The Tuscaloosa, Alabama, native is the 20th Crimson Tide player inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. A 1974 team captain and First Team All-American, Croom helped the Crimson Tide to a UPI national title in 1973. The 1974 First Team All-SEC selection and Jacobs Blocking Trophy recipient led Alabama to three consecutive conference titles, three bowl games and three top 10 final national rankings (No. 7 in 1972, No. 4 in 1973 and No. 5 in 1974). Behind Croom's stellar blocking, the Tide averaged 414.7 yards per game in 1972, 480.7 yards per game in 1973 and 388.3 yards per game in 1974. Alabama posted an impressive 32-4 record during his three seasons, with only one loss coming during the regular season. Croom capped his collegiate career in the 1975 Senior Bowl after playing for College Football Hall of Fame Coach Paul "Bear" Bryant and alongside Hall of Famers John Hannah, Woodrow Lowe, and Ozzie Newsome. He was inducted into the State of Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 2020, and the Crimson Tide's spring practice award is named the Sylvester Croom Commitment to Excellence Award in his honor. Croom played one season with the New Orleans Saints before returning to Alabama to begin his storied coaching career. He served on the Crimson Tide staff from 1976-86 under his former coach Bryant and Ray Perkins and as an NFL assistant until 2003. Croom made history in 2004 when Mississippi State hired him as the first Black head football coach in SEC history. He was SEC Coach of Year in 2007. Following five seasons at Mississippi State, Croom returned to the NFL as an assistant coach before retiring following the 2017 season. Croom is heavily involved with College View Baptist Church, which was started by his father who was an All-American at Alabama A&M.

Career Highlights

• 2007 SEC Coach of the Year
• 1974 First Team All-America
• 1974 First Team All-SEC
• 1974 Jacobs Blocking Trophy