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Randy Crowder

Randolph Channing Crowder (July 30, 1952 – May 2025) was an professional defensive lineman who played in the () for six seasons, primarily as a disruptive pass rusher for the and . A first-team All-American at Penn State University in 1973, Crowder was selected by the Dolphins in the sixth round of the out of his hometown of . Standing at 6 feet 2 inches and weighing 242 pounds, he appeared in 71 games over his career, recording 19 sacks and four fumble recoveries while starting 37 contests. Crowder's early professional success with the Dolphins was interrupted in 1977 when he and teammate Don Reese were arrested and convicted for attempting to sell one pound of to undercover officers, resulting in a one-year sentence that caused him to miss the entire season. Upon his release in 1978, he signed with as a and contributed to their defensive line for three more years, including a career-high 7.5 sacks during his 1975 season with Miami. After retiring following the 1980 season, Crowder remained connected to football through coaching and community roles, later becoming the father of linebacker . He passed away in May 2025 at the age of 72, as announced by the Dolphins organization.

Early life and education

High school career

Randy Crowder was born on July 30, 1952, in , and grew up in the nearby Mercer County area. He attended Farrell High School, where he developed into a multisport during his formative years. At Farrell, Crowder emerged as a standout , particularly on the defensive line, helping lead the Steelers to a 9-1 record and the 1969 Midwestern championship. His performance earned him first-team All-State honors as a from both the and that year, as well as Parade All-American recognition. Crowder also excelled in basketball and track, contributing to Farrell's sixth commonwealth basketball title in 1969. His high school accomplishments drew the attention of college recruiters, leading to his commitment to Penn State University, where he was initially recruited as a tight end before transitioning to defense.

College career

Crowder enrolled at , where he played as a for the Nittany Lions from 1971 to 1973. Initially starting his career on offense as a , he transitioned to and quickly established himself as a key contributor on the line. Over his final two seasons in 1972 and 1973, Crowder amassed 173 tackles, showcasing his relentless pursuit and impact in the trenches. Measuring 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) and weighing 242 lb (110 kg), he excelled as a quick and disruptive lineman, frequently penetrating backfields to disrupt plays. His performance earned him first-team All-American honors from the United Press International (UPI) and Football News in 1973. As a senior co-captain in 1973, Crowder anchored the defense for an undefeated 12–0 Nittany Lions squad that capped its season with a 16–9 victory over LSU in the 1974 . For his standout play in the game, he was named the defensive most valuable player (), sharing the overall honor with Tom Shuman.

Professional career

Miami Dolphins

Randy Crowder was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the sixth round (136th overall) of the 1974 NFL Draft out of Penn State, where he had earned All-American honors as a defensive tackle. In his rookie season, Crowder transitioned to the professional level by appearing in 12 games primarily as a rotational player on the defensive line, without any starts, while recording 3.0 sacks. This initial role allowed him to adapt to the NFL's speed and physicality under head coach Don Shula, contributing to the Dolphins' 11-3 regular-season record that year. Crowder's development accelerated in 1975, when he earned a starting position at left and appeared in 13 games, starting 11, while tying for the team lead among linemen with 7.5 sacks. He also recorded his lone fumble recovery with the Dolphins that season, bolstering the unit's pass-rush efforts during a 10-4 campaign that included defensive standouts like a 43-0 rout of the . By 1976, Crowder solidified his role as a full-time starter, playing and starting all 14 games while adding 2.0 sacks amid a transitional 6-8 season for the team. Over his three seasons with , Crowder amassed 12.5 of his career 19 sacks and one fumble recovery across 39 games and 25 starts, establishing himself as a reliable interior presence on the defensive line. He lined up alongside key defenders such as right and right Don Reese, who also notched 7.5 sacks in , as part of a unit navigating the post-dynasty era following the Dolphins' early-1970s successes. His tenure concluded after the 1976 season due to a 1977 arrest that led to his departure from the team.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

After serving a prison sentence for his 1977 drug conviction, Crowder signed with the as a in 1978, marking his return to the following his release from the . Over the next three seasons from 1978 to 1980, he played for the Buccaneers, appearing in 32 games with 10 starts while contributing 6.5 of his career 19 sacks. Crowder's most notable contribution came during the 1979 NFC Divisional Playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles, where he recovered a fumble by running back Wilbert Montgomery at the Eagles' 5-yard line, setting up a touchdown that helped secure a 24-17 victory and the Buccaneers' first playoff win. That season, he started eight games as part of Tampa Bay's robust defensive line, which powered the team to the NFC Championship Game, and he recorded 4.5 sacks along with three career fumble recoveries during his Buccaneers tenure. Known by his college-originated nickname "Sugar Bear," which reflected his contrasting on-field ferocity and off-field demeanor, Crowder anchored the nose tackle position in the team's 4-3 defensive scheme, providing interior pressure and run support. Limited to just two games in 1980 due to accumulating injuries, Crowder retired from the at the end of the season, concluding his professional playing career.

Legal troubles

1977 arrest and conviction

On May 4, 1977, Randy Crowder, then a 24-year-old defensive for the , was arrested alongside teammate Don Reese at a in south as part of an eight-day undercover by the Department's special investigations section involving 15 officers. The pair was charged with selling and to sell one pound of , which carried an estimated street value of $233,000, after allegedly attempting to sell the substance to an undercover officer. Following their , the Dolphins immediately suspended Crowder and Reese, and later waived any claim to them, leaving both without a team. On August 10, 1977, Circuit Judge Joseph Durant sentenced them to one year in the Dade County Stockade and five years of probation after they pleaded no contest to the charges of selling the ; judgment was withheld, sparing them convictions. Crowder served the full one-year term, missing the entire as a direct result of his . This incident occurred amid a broader wave of drug-related problems in the during the , though Crowder's case exemplified the league's emerging crackdown on player involvement in distribution. Upon release, he entered free agency and was later signed by the for the 1978 season.

Coaching career

Penn State Nittany Lions

After retiring from the , Randy Crowder returned to his , Penn State University, where he had been a first-team All-American in 1973, to join head coach Joe Paterno's staff as the defensive line coach in 1983. This move marked a full-circle moment, allowing Crowder to contribute to the program that had shaped his own playing career under Paterno's guidance. In his role during the 1983 and 1984 seasons, Crowder focused on player development and implementing defensive schemes for the Nittany Lions' front four, working with a unit that included emerging talents like future NFL players. His responsibilities encompassed technique instruction, game preparation, and mentoring linemen to disrupt opposing offenses, amid a period of transition for Penn State's defense following their 1982 national championship. The 1983 team finished with an 8-4-1 record, allowing an average of 24.0 points per game, while the 1984 squad went 6-5, reflecting down years between the program's title-winning eras in the early and late 1980s. Crowder's efforts helped stabilize the defensive line during these seasons, though the unit ranked outside the top 30 nationally in total defense both years. Crowder departed from the Penn State staff after the 1984 season, transitioning to civilian pursuits outside of . His brief tenure underscored his commitment to giving back to the Nittany Lions , leveraging his professional experience to mentor the next generation of defensive players.

Personal life

Family

Randy Crowder was married to Pauline Pope, with whom he had three children: daughters Dacia and Alanna, and son , born December 2, 1983. The couple later divorced. Crowder also had three additional grown children from a previous . Pauline Crowder raised the children primarily as a while Randy pursued his coaching career, providing strong familial support and fostering their involvement in sports. She attended Channing's games from his early days in local parks through his NFL tenure, offering guidance and encouragement that helped shape his development. Crowder's legacy in the family extended to inspiring Channing's football path; both father and son were drafted by the Miami Dolphins—Randy in 1974 and Channing in 2005—marking them as the only such duo in franchise history. This shared connection highlighted the intergenerational influence of Crowder's athletic background on his family dynamics.

Later pursuits

After concluding his brief coaching tenure at Penn State in 1982 and 1983, Randy Crowder transitioned to a role as a specialist for the City of . In this position, he handled administrative aspects of transactions and s on behalf of the municipal government, contributing to the city's and development efforts. Crowder maintained this stable employment for over four decades, which offered financial security and a steady routine following the highs and lows of his professional football career. The role allowed him to leverage organizational skills from his athletic background in a low-profile, community-oriented capacity, underscoring his successful adjustment to post-NFL life in the Tampa area. Beyond his professional duties, Crowder engaged in community activities tied to his football legacy, serving as past president of the Tampa Chapter of the Retired. He remained an active supporter of local sports, frequently attending games at to connect with fans and former players. This involvement reflected his enduring ties to the Tampa community, where he built a quieter, more grounded existence after retiring from the sport.

Death and legacy

Death

Randy Crowder died on May 21, 2025, at the age of 72 in , where he had maintained a long-time residence and worked in . The organization announced his passing on that date. The cause of death was not publicly released.

Tributes

Following Randy Crowder's death on May 21, 2025, the issued a statement expressing their sorrow, noting that he had been a key defensive lineman for the team from 1974 to 1976 and praising his contributions as a disruptive pass rusher during that period. The organization highlighted his role in the team's defenses. Media coverage in the Miami Herald and other outlets reflected on Crowder's impactful NFL career, with the Herald describing him as a former All-American at Penn State who brought tenacity to the Dolphins' front line over three seasons. Local Tampa-area reports, given his later tenure with the Buccaneers from 1978 to 1980, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing his overall longevity in the league across 71 games and his total of 19 career sacks. Crowder's son, former Dolphins linebacker , shared a public reflection on his father's legacy, portraying him as a devoted family man, mentor, and fighter who embodied resilience both on the field and in life, stating, "A man who wore many titles: teammate, leader, mentor, husband and Dad. He was a fighter... And he fought until the end." Across the community, tributes acknowledged Crowder's All-American honors at Penn State in 1973 and his enduring influence as a defensive standout, with former players and analysts offering condolences that celebrated his six-season professional career and contributions to multiple franchises. Penn State references in broader coverage similarly honored his collegiate achievements, underscoring his selection as a first-team All-American and his lasting place in Nittany Lions history.

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