Richard Crawford of the Washington Redskins is a young, ambitious player who has a bright future ahead of him. A graduate from Southern Methodist, Crawford was drafted to the Redskins in 2012 while securing a four year contract with the team. Crawford quickly stepped up on the team as a punt/kick return specialist.
Pro Player Insiders had the opportunity to sit down with Crawford and get to know him on a personal level. Richard was also a success story of a player invited to the first NFLPA Bowl Game last year. He explained his attendance as an ambassador from last year’s game was a special experience. “Just seeing the (NFLPA’s) improvements of the game made from last year has been cool. They made a lot of improvements with the scouts and just the players here are bringing into the quality of the game.” 
Pro Player Insider’s Theresa Villano discussed the NFL draft with Crawford and how he felt while he was going through the process. Crawford explained how it is important to keep calm during the whole process of being drafted. “The only thing on my mind was to have fun during the process. I wanted to take advantage of my opportunity and just play football. When you make football something more than it is, you end up being bad at it. I try to just keep everything what it is,” said Crawford.
Crawford has a close relationship with his teammates. He explained that he and Robert Griffin (RG3) both wear crazy socks for the
games. “Me and Robert kind of have the sock thing going on. He will give me some of his socks at times,’ Crawford explained. Crawford also talked about Griffin (RG3) as a person. He could not speak enough about his fellow rookie sensation. “Just like he is on TV, he’s a real genuine person. That’s just how Robert is. He’s just a great person. I can’t speak enough about him and I hope he gets healthy. He’s a fighter and I think he will be fine for next year.” Crawford stated. He also explained to us that he believed Santana Moss had the most “swag”. Crawford said that “he takes real pride in how he looks and dresses all the time. Crawford expressed his opinions and feelings of his teammates in a positive light.
While getting to know Crawford, his personality came out. Crawford explained that his favorite brands to wear were Nike and Gucci. He also told us that he drives a Scion FR S. “It’s a little racing car. I kind of put some turbo and stuff on it. I like to race a little bit,” said Crawford. Crawford has many expectations for the upcoming season. As most NFL players, his main goal is to get to the Super Bowl. “I want to go to the play offs and go to the Super Bowl. We’ve been to the play offs, we’ve won a division. Our next goal is to go to the Super Bowl and win,” Crawford explained. Crawford puts the team before himself and believes that when the team is winning and playing well then good things will happen for his as an individual.
PPI’s FIRE Five with Redskin’s Crawford:
1. What is your favorite restaurant or club in Washington D.C? Or San Diego?
Crawford: Wings and Things
2. What is your favorite brand to rock? I see you reppin some Gucci and Lactose.
Crawford: I’m more of a Nike person. Always got to have my Nike. Gucci too.
3. On the Redskins, what player has the most “swag”?
Crawford: Santana—he takes real pride in how he looks and dresses all the time.
4. What kind of car are you driving?
Crawford: Scion FR S. It’s a little racing car. I kind of put some turbo and stuff on it. I like to race a little bit.
5. Last question is do you use hash tags a lot? If so, what hash tag do you find yourself using the most?
Crawford: #HTTR—Hail to the Redskins.
–By Lauren Marios
–Interview By Theresa Villano, Follow @Theresa_ppi @PlayerInsiders for more “Under the helmet insights”
