Jim Crawford

The best football season record during the 21 years that West Fannin High School existed was 6-3-1. That mark was achieved five times in 1957, 1958, 1960, 1963 and 1965. Jim Crawford was a member of the 1963 and 1965 teams. Jim was a rugged performer for the Yellow Jackets, always in the middle of the action. He played both ways, at center on offense and linebacker on defense. He was a backup to team captain John Harper and Tommy Callihan during his sophomore and junior years and was a starter in 1965. After the relatively successful 1963 season, fans were optimistic as the Jackets embarked on the 1964 campaign. The season proved disappointing but Jim Crawford emerged as a factor in the limited success of that team, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. Crawford was promoted to a starting position as the winless 1964 team journeyed to Murray County for the 9th game of the season. Jim was cited for his strong defensive play in this contest, leading the Jackets to a 13-7 victory. He remained with the starting eleven as West Fannin prepared to face arch-rival Copper Basin in the final game of the season. A victory would help heal some of the wounds of the battered Jackets. On the chilly evening of November 6, the Cougars arrived to face West Fannin in front of the biggest crowd of the year. Scoring the first two times they got the ball, Basin gave every indication of making a long season longer for the Jackets who entered the game with a record of 1-8. Basin was 5-3 for the year. Crawford saved the day, however, when he intercepted a pass near midfield just before halftime, returning the pigskin to the Basin 20-yard line. Fannin found the end zone in two plays to close the gap to six points and seize the momentum heading into the 2nd half. West Fannin scored the tying touchdown and converted the extra point in the third quarter to capture a hard-earned 13-12 victory. The Copper City Advance newspaper named Jim Crawford as the Lineman of the Week in recognition of his heroics. Jim Crawford wrapped up his playing career with a stellar season in 1965. He was elected co-captain of the team along with 2014 FCSHOF inductee Steve Cheatham. He once again anchored the offensive line at center and played a linebacker slot on defense in a season that would see the Yellow Jackets capture wins over Swain County and Murphy NC, East Rome, North Whitfield, Gilmer County and Murray County. The annual battle with Copper Basin ended in a tie. Jim was named to the Atlanta Journal/Constitution Class AA honorable mention All-State team and to the Chattanooga Times All Tri-State honorable mention team. His heroics included blocking an extra point attempt against Murray County to secure a 7-6 victory and again intercepting a pass against Copper Basin to preserve a 13-13 tie. He was named as the team Most Valuable Lineman for the year. Very popular with his teachers and classmates, Jim was selected as the Best All-Around boy in the 1966 West Fannin graduating class. Upon entering college at Truett-McConnell in the fall of 1966, Jim discovered that he possessed an aptitude for chemistry and physics. He earned a degree in Chemistry Education from the University of Georgia in 1971. Jim Crawford taught chemistry and physics at various high schools in Georgia for 29 years. His longest tenures were 12 years each at Lithonia and Redan High Schools. In addition to teaching, Jim also coached football, basketball and gymnastics at the schools he served. Jim married his wife, Sally, in 1979. They have two grown sons, Tyler and Thomas, and five grandchildren. Tyler is a church administrator in Germany and Thomas teaches psychology at Murray State University. Shortly after his retirement from teaching, Jim developed an interest in videography. He began his videography activities with the Atlanta Contra Dancers and has provided his expertise to many other groups during the last 18 years or so. He works locally with groups including the Epworth Community Club. He was a charter member of the Fannin County Sports Hall of Fame Board, producing videos of inductees beginning with the inaugural class of 2013. He joins his brother Gene as a member of the Fannin County Sports Hall of Fame.