51æ“ʬ

Coach Speirā€™s honesty sold Keion Crossen on choosing 51æ“ʬas his place to succeed

It was at 51æ“ʬ that Keion Crossen went from a skinny high school kid that few people outside of his hometown of Garysburg knew, to developing into a seventh round NFL draft pick that in February added Super Bowl champion to his resume.

As he came down from the stage and onto the floor at Atlantaā€™s State Farm Arena for the New England Patriotsā€™ portion of the 2019 Super Bowlā€™s Opening Night, former Western Carolina University defensive back Keion Crossen was all smiles.

ā€œFrom Garysburg, to Cullowhee, to the Super Bowl. Itā€™s been a journey,ā€ Crossen said. ā€œItā€™s one that you wouldnā€™t think would go as planned. I never thought I would be in the Super Bowl.ā€

Crossenā€™s ultimate success story began with 51æ“ʬhead football coach Mark Speir braving the snow to travel across the state to Garysburg to make a sales pitch to a scrawny, but speedy, Crossen on why he should come to Cullowhee. It was Speirā€™s honesty that won Crossen over.

ā€œMy decision to come to Western Carolina was solely based on him,ā€ Crossen said. ā€œHe was a great guy when he came to talk to me in Garysburg. He drove down there in the snow. That speaks volumes. I really appreciate what heā€™s done for me and the chance he gave me to play at the Division I level at Western. Now, I guess Iā€™m helping the program a little with recruiting.

ā€œHe just showed his genuineness to me,ā€ Crossen added. ā€œHis honesty. Most coaches you talk to are like, ā€˜Youā€™ll come in and start,ā€™ and Iā€™m like, ā€˜I weigh like 140 pounds. How am I going to start?ā€™ (Speir) told me, ā€˜If you work hard enough, youā€™ll get to where you need to be.ā€™ ā€

That hard work saw Crossen go from a freshman who had 17 tackles as a player on special teams and a defensive back reserve to a senior starter who registered 67 tackles and seven passes-broken up.

Crossen was both an inspirational and spiritual leader for the players. His teammates definitely listened when he talked.

ā€œHeā€™s an intense guy,ā€ former teammate Hunter Jacobs said. ā€œHeā€™s one of those guys that always brings the best out of you. It doesnā€™t matter who heā€™s on the field with, heā€™s going to compete with you. Keionā€™s not afraid to tell you like it is. From the day he stepped on campus, he was never afraid to let himself be heard. Thatā€™s one of the best things about Keion.ā€

To this day, Crossen credits Speir for his success as a football player. The two have a bond, one  that saw Speir make a point to visit Crossen at his hotel during Super Bowl week in between recruiting visits.

ā€œThatā€™s the type of guy he is,ā€ Crossen said. ā€œHe came to the hotel and saw me. Heā€™s a great person at heart. You cannot buy that with any kind of money. He has a great heart, great character.ā€