RIP Jefferson Crowther

There are many people who aren't BC athletes or coaches, but who are adjacent to BC in some way who become part of the fabric of Boston College. Jefferson Crowther was one of those people. The father of Welles Crowther, Jefferson had become a fixture of the annual Red Bandanna game and a key voice in telling Welles' story. He passed away Wednesday.

Like his son, Jefferson's impact will be felt at BC for years to come.

Watch the Crowthers in the BC locker room after the game

Special nite in Alumni Stadium honoring #BCMan & AMERICAN hero #WellesCrowther Magic was in the air! #Selfless&Fearless pic.twitter.com/IopLyveW3J

— Coach Brian White (@coachBwhiteBC) October 27, 2018

Also check out this clip where Blackledge and McDonough talk about how unique and special BC is.

This place is special. #WeAreBC pic.twitter.com/1s6AwBXQpG

— BC Football (@BCFootball) October 27, 2018

Finally Addazio addressed the importance of the Welles' example during his post game presser.

BC-Miami preview

The week off seemed longer than usual. There is a rhythm to the season and not playing -- especially when the rest of college football is playing -- feels like something is missing. I hope Addazio used the time well as this game begins an important stretch. If BC is going to be anything beyond 7-6 again, they need wins like this.

What's on my mind (not totally related to this game) PART I
Each year it seems the criticism of the Red Bandana game grows. It is no longer strictly tied to the home game near September 11 and is now part of one of our premiere games and usually nationally televised. I understand the criticism and think the line between honoring and exploiting is very thin. However, BC has shown tremendous respect for the Crowther family and based on my experience, usually consults them on matters like this. If the Crowther family is ok with a night game in October, then who are we to complain?

What's on my mind (not totally related to this game) PART II
I doubt it will happen, but I hope with the new TV network and the punitive exit fees, the ACC reconsiders its divisions. The fact that BC only plays Miami a few times a decade is a missed opportunity. I am all for a division of former Big East schools and a division of traditional ACC schools and think most fanbases would agree. The only challenge would be which traditional ACC school gets put in with the former Big Easters to keep the divisions balanced. I usually advocate Virginia, but arguments could be made for Florida State or Georgia Tech. I know the politics of it all make it highly unlikely, but I hope someone at least raises the issue.

Three Simple Keys
1. Get the jet sweeps working again. I don't know why BC has gone away from it recently (Smith's health?), but they need to bring them back. Ideally for a big play, but also just to keep the 'Canes D honest. 
2. Contain whoever Miami has at QB. When Miami is doing well, they are making big gains off of broken plays and scrambles. The BC D can't let that happen.
3. Win on the OLine. Miami's D is still very formidable. BC needs to win upfront to keep the offense on track.

Gambling Notes
-- Miami leads the series 24-5
-- The road team has won the last two
-- Miami is 8-3 at Alumni
The current line is BC+3.5

Factoid
Mark Richt is 0-1 vs BC

Scoreboard Watching
Clemson-FSU is big. If we want to win the division (seriously) then we need some help and someone has to give Clemson a loss.

I hope to see...
Another punt block. At this point Miami will be prepared, but the occasional block is the only hyper-aggressive thing Addazio does. Let's take another gamble this week.

BC is in trouble if...
They can't cover the RBs. Our linebackers have struggled in pass coverage so far this year. Look for Miami to keep it simple and try to hit short, easy passes out of the backfield. Our coverage and tackling has to be great.

Overall
I like this matchup for BC. Beyond the emotion, I think Miami's offense has issues and will have trouble scoring. As long as we don't help them out with by allowing a blocked punt or Pick 6, we should win a grind it out type of game.
Final Score: BC 28, Miami 21

BC pulling out all the stops for Friday night

The NFL killed the importance of College Football's Thursday Night Games. ESPN -- with the help of conference partners like the ACC -- is trying to turn Friday Night into the new event. BC bought in early, agreeing to be part of Friday night games contractually. And now the school is going all out as host of this Friday Night's game against Florida State.

-- First (as speculated) BC will wear their red bandanna inspired uniforms. BC will also hand out red bandannas to the first 25,000 fans in attendance. 

-- The 6 PM ET SportsCenter will focus on the game and have at least one ESPN reporter outside of Gate E. I have no idea if this will be a set with a stage or just one reporter with a camera crew. Regardless, all you students, makes signs, make noise and get on TV. We are unlikely to get GameDay this year, so this is it. BC clever and be respectful. Earlier in the day First Take will broadcast live from Gasson. Make noise there too. [Update: First Take cancelled]

-- Tim and Elisabeth Hasselbeck will be honored during the game.

-- Finally, TOB and members of the 2005 team will also be honored. This will be TOB's first football game in Alumni since his retirement. I will be very interested to hear the crowd reaction.

Of course, this being a Friday night game and with a significant portion of our fanbase in the New York area, attendance will be an issue. While the last-minute marketing might add a few thousand more people, I don't expect a sellout. But doing all this for a Friday Night Game is good long-term planning. Make all Friday Night Games an event. Then when people see the schedule months in advance they will make an effort to get back to Boston just for a Friday game. 

Crowther featured in Havoline Football Saturdays

Every year Raycom produces a series of human interest stories on each team to use in their pregame shows and halftimes. This year they are featuring the story of Welles Crowther. Though Welles' heroism has been extensively covered, it is always welcome to a new audience. Raycom did a nice job on the piece. The above version is long and probably not what we will see during a halftime, so take the time to watch it before the season.

Handling the Crowther relationship with care

This is awesome and I could watch it all day. Addazio does a great job of building to his point and handing it off to the Crowthers. From there Mr. and Mrs. Crowther are charming, sincere and touching as always. They've handled themselves with such class since the moment they were thrust into the spotlight. It was the perfect ending to a week of honor and remembrance of their son.

My concern is news that BC will incorporate the Red Bandanna motif into their uniforms for the remainder of the season. We don't know how or to what extent, but the whole thing gives me pause (like Brian). Welles deserves honor and celebration. Saturday night was perfect. However, if you do something all the time, it makes things less special. And I worry that it also becomes a little exploitative and commercial. Will some on the team be inspired each time they see the Red Bandanna? Of course. But others might start to take it for granted.

I had the similar concerns about exploitation and people missing the point during the Ice Bucket Challenge. And I was probably wrong then. Whatever fears I had of people's motivations, clearly the good aspects of the Challenge far exceeded any social media narcissism that took place. Maybe I am wrong here. Maybe incorporating the Red Bandanna into the uniforms will be done with subtlety and respect. Or maybe I shouldn't worry, because the Crowthers have handled this whole process so well, I am sure they would let BC know when things didn't feel right.

BC unveils Red Bandanna uniforms

BC tweeted out a sneak preview of the Red Bandanna themed uniforms and gear the team will wear during the USC game. I am always leery of how BC incorporates Crowther's signature and story into the sports team, but I do think this looks cool. I haven't talked or emailed the Crowther family on this, but I assume they gave their blessing. I know players and Under Armour love doing this. Let's hope they remain reverent about the source and inspiration for the Red Bandanna.

BC honors The Man in the Red Bandanna at Saturday's game with gear, eagle at Fanfest & more: http://t.co/Lo3HXZaOno pic.twitter.com/QVfpGPnv4Q
— BC Football News (@BCFootballNews) September 10, 2014

Obama honors Crowther and other links

Welles Crowther's story reached a new audience Thursday when President Obama mentioned him at the 9/11 Memorial.

KPL's preDraft workouts in Florida helped him impress during the draft process.

Donahue commit Jeremy Miller still names BC among his top choices.

Baseball lost to Clemson.

Softball placed three players on the NFCA All-Region Team.

ATLeagle Google+ Hangout with ESPN's Drew Gallagher

I've known Drew Gallagher since our days at WZBC in the 1990s. After graduation, Drew joined ESPN and rose through the ranks to become a producer. In 2011, he produced a feature on his friend and fellow BC classmate Welles Crowther. If you are reading this blog you probably know Welles' story and have seen Drew's piece. In this Hangout, we discuss Drew's history with the piece and working on emotional subjects. 

[ATTN: This Hangout seems a little more glitchy than the first one. I apologize and hopefully it is not too distracting.]

Once again, here is Drew's Emmy-winning feature on Welles Crowther.

2012 Welles Crowther Red Bandanna Run

One of the few good memories of last season was the Welles Crowther story gaining national attention. Welles' heroism on September 11 has been well known among the BC community for many years. The Outside the Lines piece on the anniversary of September 11 brought the well-deserved spotlight to Welles and his legacy.

Welles' time at BC remains important to his family and they will once again hold their annual Red Bandanna Run. The 2012 event will be held October 13. You can learn more about the run or supporting the charity on the Red Bandanna site.

"The Man In The Red Bandanna" wins Sports Emmy

Monday night at the Sports Emmys, ESPN's "Outside the Lines" team won the Emmy for Long Feature for their story on "The Man Behind the Red Bandanna." A special thanks should go to the Crowther family for sharing their story with the world. I also think we should thank ESPN Producer Drew Gallagher (BC '99) for his work on the project. Drew advocated Welles's story for many years and then brought it to air last fall.

Women's Lax win in Crowther game and other links

Women's lacrosse beat Cal 16-6 Saturday in the first "Red Bandanna #19 Game." The goal was to honor Welles Crowther the former BC men's lacrosse player who lost his life on September 11, 2001. It was a nice win and hopefully the start of a nice tradition.

Baseball had a chance to upset No. 1 Florida State but couldn't hold the lead in the 9th.

Dan Koppen will be staying in New England a few more years.

The Football staff will be in Cincinnati this week to evaluate new recruits.

Man In The Red Bandanna

For those who still haven't seen ESPN's touching piece on Welles Crowther '99.

ESPN to feature Welles Crowther on Sunday

I know our minds are all on the game, but there is another important BC feature on ESPN this weekend. 9/11 hero and BC grad Welles Crowther will be featured Sunday morning on "Outside the Lines." Below is ESPN's press release.

ESPN/Outside the Lines presents a story about Welles Crowther, a former lacrosse player at Boston College who posthumously emerged as a hero among heroes inside the World Trade Center on September 11th. Crowther, who was working as an equities trader at the time, was identified as the mysterious “Man in the Red Bandanna.” According to survivors, Crowther made at least 2 trips to the burning 78th floor sky lobby of the South Tower, where he guided as many as 12 people to safety. Although he could have saved himself, Crowther chose to help total strangers - then died when the tower collapsed. “The Man in the Red Bandanna, ” narrated by actor/director Edward Burns and written by ESPN reporter Tom Rinaldi, is a story about Welles Crowther – an athlete destined for greater glory, who showed what being a hero really means.

The piece was produced by my friend and fellow Eagle Drew Gallagher. Drew also produced the Herzlich piece on Gameday a few years ago. He's very proud of this feature and I think we'll all enjoy it.

Support Red Bandanna Run 2010

Many of you know the story of Welles Crowther and the work his family is doing in his honor. They are holding their annual Red Bandanna 5k Run/Walk September 18, 2010. It is a Saturday without BC football, so if you are looking to support a BC cause, register that morning at 7:30a.m. at Lyons Hall.


Last year they raised nearly $15,000 with this event and hope to pass the $20,000 mark this year. Like last year you can also give via active.com/donate/redbandanna.

Red Bandanna reminder

Just a reminder that the Red Bandana walk/run is next Saturday, September 19. It's a great cause and helps us honor a BC guy who died eight years ago.

Support the Red Bandanna 5k Run/Walk

The family of BC Guy Welles Crowther is holding their annual 5k run/walk fundraiser on Saturday, September 19th. Registration starts at 8a.m. at Gasson Hall and the run starts at 9 am.

For those unfamiliar with Welles' story and the family's cause, you can read about it on their web site. Welles was a four year letterman for BC Lacrosse and died on September 11 trying to get others out of the World Trade Center towers.

For those who cannot attend the race, you can give online via redbandannarun.com.