A Legendary Career in American Football

Jim Crowley, known as ‘Sleepy Jim,’ made his mark in American football history first as a quarterback for the University of Notre Dame, where he played from 1922 to 1924 as part of the legendary ‘Four Knights’ backfield.

Coaching Excellence

After beginning his coaching career as an assistant at Georgia, Crowley took the helm at Michigan State College in 1929. During his four-year tenure with the Spartans, he achieved an impressive 22-8-3 record. His success caught the attention of Fordham University, which lured him away in 1933. At Fordham, Crowley built one of the nation’s top defensive teams.

Under his leadership, Fordham’s offensive line, coached by future Notre Dame head coach Frank Leahy, became known as the ‘Seven Blocks of Granite.’ The defense featured two-time All-American Alex Wojciechowicz, who later achieved Pro Football Hall of Fame status. Another notable ‘Block of Granite’ was Vince Lombardi, who would later become a championship coach for the New York Giants and Green Bay Packers.

Pioneer in Professional Football

Crowley made history in 1939 by coaching Fordham in the first-ever televised football game, leading his team to a 34-7 victory over Waynesburg Yellow Jackets. His final years at Fordham were marked by success in bowl games, including an appearance in the 1941 Cotton Bowl Classic and a victory in the 1942 Sugar Bowl. He concluded his tenure at Fordham with an impressive record of 56-13-7.

During World War II, Crowley served with the United States Navy in the South Pacific. In 1942, he led the North Carolina Pre-Flight School team to an 8-2-1 record. His career took a significant turn in late 1944 when he became the first commissioner of the All-America Football Conference, which quickly emerged as a serious competitor to the National Football League.

In his later years, Crowley transitioned to broadcasting, becoming station manager and sports director of television station WTVU in Scranton, Pennsylvania. He later served as chairman of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission from 1955 to 1963. His contributions to football were formally recognized with his induction into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1966.