By ERIC TABER for GoGriz.com
The Montana Grizzlies have voted, and seniors Derek Crittenden and Jamaal Jones are the 2015 team captains.
During a meeting on the second day of fall camp, Coach Bob Stitt put the captaincy of the Griz football team, one of the most coveted titles at the University of Montana, up for a vote.
In the realm of college football team culture building, captains are usually a designation bestowed by the coaching staff to honor athletes for years of dedication and outstanding play on the field. No easy task in itself, the duty of captaincy has been given to players in the past who now suit up on Sundays.
Jamaal Jones. Photo courtesy of Grizzly Athletics.
Being a captain isn’t just about attending the coin toss at midfield before a game. It’s about leadership.
So, why let the players decide the fate of such an important position?
“It’s a huge honor to become a captain. I think it’s the biggest honor that you can have. It’s bigger than all-conference, or all-American, because your teammates are voting you in,” said Coach Stitt.
“They’re representing our team. They’re the voice of our team. Two really good people and good football players are representing us as captains.”
Jones, who transferred to Montana from Washington in search of a leadership role, couldn’t be more proud of the title his teammates have entrusted him with.
Derek Crittenden. Photo courtesy of Grizzly Athletics.
“It feels good. It’s a big accomplishment. It’s the ultimate accomplishment, transferring here from UW, and being here, and being a leader to those guys, I feel great about it.”
When asked how he would like to be remembered by the teammates who made him a captain, Jones thought back to when he was just starting out as a college football player.
“I just want to be remembered as the guy that everybody can talk to. I know when I was young I was afraid to talk to the older guys, I was afraid to ask them questions because they would mess with me. I don’t want to be that kind of leader. I want to be the leader that everybody can talk to and ask questions to and not be afraid.”
It’s widely recognized that if you are a team captain, you have to be smart. The Griz football squad has elected itself a leader that is smart both on the field, and off.
As the recipient of the 2015 President’s Award, a double major in chemistry and mathematics holding a 4.0 GPA, AND a potential Rhodes scholar… if anyone fits that bill, it’s Crittenden.
“It’s a great honor. I love these guys. We’re all really tight. It’s very exciting to be the head of that,” said the senior from Whitefish.
Crittenden was also believed to be in the running to be the next to wear the #37 jersey, speaking volumes of what his teammates think of his play on the field.
Jones and Crittenden will take the field Wednesday in their new roles as captains at fall camp practice number two.