(Getty Images) Justin Crawford was going to attempt to balance work, family, classes and football at West Virginia.
Now work isn’t a part of the equation for the junior college transfer. According to the WV Metro News, Crawford was working part-time at a Taco Bell in Morgantown, West Virginia. He’s no longer working there after running backs coach Ju’Juan Seider found out about the job.
“He was trying to make extra money to help out with the kids at home, but I was like, ‘Dude, there ain’t no way you’re going to be able to function after you work out at all day over here and then go to work at Taco Bell,” Seider told the outlet. “When are you going to rest? Your body can’t handle that.’”
Crawford is married to his high school girlfriend and the two have two children. Per the Metro News he “maintained multiple part-time” jobs while at Northwest Mississippi Junior College, where he played before transferring to West Virginia.
While we get West Virginia’s reasoning behind Crawford making sure his body is ready for football, we also totally understand his drive and determination to provide for his family. He’s eligible to receive a stipend from the school to cover cost of attendance, but as any parent knows, kids aren’t inexpensive. Any bit helps.
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Perhaps there’s a compromise that could be made to allow him to make some money in a part-time job? Athletes are allowed to have part-time jobs per NCAA rules as long as they are treated like any other employee and special benefits aren’t given because of the athlete’s status.
Crawford was a three-star recruit in the junior college rankings according to Rivals. He’s vying to replace the production WVU got in 2015 from running back Wendell Smallwood. Seider said in his media availability Thursday that Crawford had been a pleasant surprise so far.
“The pleasant surprise is how fast Justin came in and picked up the system,” Seider said. “He didn’t have a lot of bust early. That’s why the summer has been good for him. He was able to get out here and understand stuff early and to pick it up. Probably a little bit behind, but he’s a fast learner.”

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Nick Bromberg is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter!
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