TCU football is winding down the days until its 2026 season opener against North Carolina in Dublin, Ireland. The countdown, which pairs each remaining day with a former player whose jersey number matches, has reached the 38‑day milestone, shining a spotlight on a standout from the early 1960s.
A Star from the Sixties
Tommy Joe Crutcher, a fullback and linebacker who wore number 38 for TCU between 1961 and 1963, was more than a footnote in the program’s history. He helped the Horned Frogs pull off a 6‑0 upset over No. 1 Texas in 1961, a game still remembered for its defensive grit and the momentum it generated for the team.
Crutcher’s college statistics reflect a workhorse: 362 carries for 1,583 yards and eight touchdowns, plus 19 receptions for 232 yards across 30 games. His performance earned him All‑Southwest Conference honors and a place on the All‑American team after the 1963 season, cementing his status as one of the era’s most versatile players.
The NFL recognized his talent in the 1964 draft, selecting him in the third round. Crutcher went on to win three consecutive NFL titles, two of them Super Bowls, first with the Green Bay Packers and later with the New York Giants and Los Angeles Rams after a mid‑career trade. He retired in 1972 after 108 games and 33 starts, leaving a modest but impactful footprint with three interceptions and a sack.
Beyond the field, Crutcher’s contributions were acknowledged with inductions into both the TCU Athletic Hall of Fame (1981) and the Texas High School Football Hall of Fame (2017). A 1958 graduate of McKinney High School, he had previously led his prep team to the Class 3A semifinals, rushing for 1,070 yards in 13 games and earning All‑State and All‑American accolades.