🏈 Met Sly Croom Today

[Kevin4Bama]

I was shopping at Bel Air Mall in Mobile with my wife and son today. My wife was in a store selecting some items, so I took my son and sat on a bench outside the store. As we were sitting there, I noticed a familiar face walking towards me. My son noticed me staring and asked who it was. I told him that it was Sylvester Croom who used to play for Bama and was most recently coach of the MSU Bulldogs. My son, not being shy, went and asked him if he used to play for Alabama. He said, "Yeah, I used to." I met him and talked a minute.

After he walked away, I was thinking, "Man, I should have gotten a picture." A little later, we saw him again and asked him if he minded getting a picture with my son. He was very nice and I know a lot of posters here haven't forgiven him for some of his remarks after being snubbed for the position here. He couldn't have been nicer to me or my 7 year old. I wished him luck in his new job with the Rams.

 

[porkchop]

That's cool.

FWIW, if Sly was walking through LAX (L.A. Internation Airport) tomorrow, and I saw him, he'd be in my pictures as well. I'd make it a point to get with him.

I was as mad as anyone at some of the things that happened after Croom "was snubbed", according to him, but I still believe he's one of ours. Unfortunately, I think Sly made some decisions based on hurt feelings at the time. That's not to say he's a bad person, and that he doesn't love Alabama. Heck, I guess you could make the case that he loves Alabama so much, and wanted the job so badly that he made some extremely poor decisions (based more on emotion).

I can forgive that. There are worse things to be guilty of.

 

[BamaHubMan]

That's cool.

FWIW, if Sly was walking through LAX (L.A. Internation Airport) tomorrow, and I saw him, he'd be in my pictures as well. I'd make it a point to get with him.

I was as mad as anyone at some of the things that happened after Croom "was snubbed", according to him, but I still believe he's one of ours. Unfortunately, I think Sly made some decisions based on hurt feelings at the time. That's not to say he's a bad person, and that he doesn't love Alabama. Heck, I guess you could make the case that he loves Alabama so much, and wanted the job so badly that he made some extremely poor decisions (based more on emotion).

I can forgive that. There are worse things to be guilty of.

Well Said. I agree.

 

[Kirk Van de Graaff]

I have always liked Coach Croom. Great player back in the day for Bama. Thanks for sharing.

 

[TerryP]

Nice story Kevin and I apologize if this ends up hijacking the thread.

A question dawns on me...

On one hand we have Alabama fans who hold UT and AU in contempt for their continuing efforts to get the NCAA back in Tuscaloosa. Yet, the same feelings are held towards Croom?

 

[son of tradition]

Thats one cool picture. Brave son too.

 

[rolltide1969]

I have no ill feelings toward Croom, like most of Bear's boys he conducts himself with class most of the time.

 

[Kozlowski]

He helped rid us of Shula and Im grateful of that

 

[Kevin4Bama]

Thats one cool picture. Brave son too.

Yeah, he's not the least bit shy. Never has been. He walked right up to him and asked if he could have his picture taken with him.

 

[fairhope4bama]

What was he doing in Mobile? Just wondering as that is where I grew up and I now live in Fairhope.

 

[Kevin4Bama]

What was he doing in Mobile? Just wondering as that is where I grew up and I now live in Fairhope.

I haven't the foggiest. He appeared to be shopping. When I first saw him he was with a young lady who appeared to be in her early 20s maybe. I figured it was his daughter or some other relative. I was really surprised as I saw that the rookies have already reported to camp. I figured he'd be at work, unless they got a break for the Mother's Day holiday. Don't know if he has some family in Mobile.

 

[Hardkore]

Whoa! Croom was here in Mobile at Bel Air?

What was your first thought when you saw him? Judging from the pic I'm guessing you were just out/down from JC Penney.

Nice story.

 

[Kevin4Bama]

Whoa! Croom was here in Mobile at Bel Air?

What was your first thought when you saw him? Judging from the pic I'm guessing you were just out/down from JC Penney.

Nice story.

Yeah, when the pic was taken. When we first saw him we were sitting outside of Bath and Bodyworks next to the Chick-fil-a. I couldn't believe my eyes and had to do a double take.

 

[Swamptick]

He helped rid us of Shula and Im grateful of that

When I read this, I actually laughed out loud in my store.

I have no more hard feelings towards Coach Croom. I don't like ANY coach for ANY team that we have to play against. Since he is no longer coaching against us, I can find room in my heart to say he is an ok guy.
:smile: