Lindon Crow, player in ‘greatest game ever played,’ at 85

Lindon Crow, the former NFL defensive back who had three interceptions in the 1958 suddendeath NFL championship dubbed “the greatest game ever played,” has died. He was 85.

He died Thursday in Exeter, Calif., due to complications from a series of strokes, the University of Southern California said Friday.

Mr. Crow led the NFL in interceptions with 11 in 1956 and had 41 picks in his pro career. He played defensive back for the Cardinals from 1955-57, New York Giants from 1958-60, and Los Angeles Rams from 1961-64.

He was a three-time Pro Bowl selection in 1956, ’57 and ’59.In the 1958 NFL title game, Mr. Crow had three interceptions in the Giants’ 23-17 loss to the Baltimore Colts at Yankee Stadium. It was the first NFL game to go to sudden-death overtime and was televised nationwide on NBC.

Mr. Crow was a teammate of the late Frank Gifford on the Giants, whose offensive coordinator was future Packers coach Vince Lombardi and whose defensive coordinator was Tom Landry, future Dallas Cowboys coach.

Mr. Crow also played in the NFL title game the following year, with the Colts winning again 31-16 in Baltimore.

Mr. Crow was a second-round pick of the Chicago Cardinals in the 1955 NFL draft.

He was a three-year letterman as a two-way halfback at Southern California from 1952-54. Mr. Crow rushed for 666 yards and caught 13 passes with six touchdowns in his career.

Mr. Crow played in two Rose Bowls for the Trojans, including a 1953 victory over Wisconsin. He captained the Trojans’ 1954 team, and earned All-Pacific Coast Conference honors in 1952 and ’54.

He also played in the 1955 Senior Bowl and College All-Star game.

After retiring from football, Mr. Crow worked as defensive coordinator at Cal State Northridge from 1972-75 and as head coach at St. Genevieve High in Panorama City, Calif., from 1976-88. He also served four years as the school’s athletic director.

He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Sandy, daughters Wendy and Melissa and son Lindon Jr., six grandchildren and nine greatgrandchildren.