#Fred October 26

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Today is Saturday in October which means college football games. In the State of North Carolina there will be a game played at 4:00 p.m. for the 99th time between Duke University and University of North Carolina.

Here is a photo from the 1939 game played at Duke. That game played 80 years ago looks like it drew a big crowd.

This is a story about a man named FRED who was the first College Football All-American born in North Carolina. That honor belongs to FRED Crawford and he played for Duke.

FRED Crawford was born on July 27, 1910 in Waynesville, NC. He attended both Tuscola HS and McCallie School. McCallie is a private boarding school in Chattanooga, TN.

He was coached by Duke University football coach Wallace Wade and developed into one of the nation’s premier football players during the early 1930s. He was the first native Tar Heel to become an College Football All-American. When he played he was 6’2″ and weighed 190 lbs.

FRED was the son of congressman William T Crawford. His dad died when he was just 3 years old.

William served three terms as a congressman representing the 9th and 10th Congressional Districts. Interestingly one of Congressman Crawford’s terms was a recount. He served two terms from 1891-1895. He lost the 1895 election to Richard Pearson who served from 1895-1897.

When he ran to be reelected in 1897 for the 97-99 term against Richard Pearson, he was initially declared the winner, but Pearson successfully contested the election and was seated for the last half of the Fifty-sixth Congress (May 10, 1900 to March 1901). William Crawford won election in 1907 and served a full third term from 1907-1909.

Back to FRED Crawford the football player. He played defense and offense for Duke, but he earned his fame playing tackle. In 1933, he earned All-American status and was considered one of the best eleven players in the nation.

As a professional, Crawford played for the Chicago Bears in 1935. Too small for regular play in interior line, he gave up pro aspirations after single year. Had small roles in several movies before becoming deputy commissioner of Florida Motor Vehicles Division. FRED died at the age of 62.

For Tarheel and Blue Devils fans hope this fact about FRED helps you enjoy the game.