Class of 2020
Born: September 25, 1954 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Category: Football
Sylvester Croom played center from 1972-1974 at the University of Alabama. During his college career he was awarded the Jacobs Blocking Trophy and also earned All-American honors. Croom helped the Crimson Tide win three SEC championships and the 1973 National Championship. He played one year in the NFL for the New Orleans Saints before returning to Tuscaloosa to coach. Croom was an assistant at Alabama for 11 seasons under Coach Paul Bryant and Coach Ray Perkins. Throughout his career he has coached for nine different NFL teams over 25 years. From 2004-2008, he served as Head Coach of Mississippi State University, making him the first African-American head football coach in the Southeastern Conference.
