Selma quarterback club closes its season with Paul Crane

Published 10:58 pm Monday, December 7, 2015

Former Alabama center and linebacker Paul Crane was the speaker Monday night at the Carl C. Morgan Convention Center as the Selma Quarterback Club met for the final time this season.

Crane spoke about the four years he played under Paul “Bear” Bryant and shared memories of playing alongside Pro Football Hall of Famer Joe Namath.

“I’ve been asked several times about Joe Namath,” Crane said. “Joe was a great teammate.”

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Crane shared a story about Namath getting hit on a play where the offensive line seemed to fall apart. Instead of getting upset, Crane said Namath turned his blockers and said “Listen guys, I picked him up last time, why don’t you guys get him next time?”

Crane played seven years with the New York Jets. He was a member of the 1969 New York Jets team that stunned the Baltimore Colts to win Super Bowl III. As he spoke, he allowed members of the quarterback club to pass around his Super Bowl ring.

During his time at Alabama he was named All-SEC in 1964 and 1965 and was an All-American in 1965. Crane is a member of the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame and also has an award named after him at the University of Alabama.

The club also held its big ticket drawing Monday for $10,000. Jim Wheeler was the winner of the drawing.

Crane’s speech wrapped up a year of tremendous speakers for the club. Leigh Anne Tuohy, who was played by Sandra Bullock in The Blindside, and UAB head football coach Bill Clark were among those that spoke at quarterback club meetings this year.