TED CREWS: VP OF COMMUNICATIONS FOR KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

BY E. JEROME PEARSON JR.

The Kansas City Chiefs (Vice President of Communications) “Ted Crews” began his journey to the NFL from the small town of Orangeburg S.C, where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in English. As a student at SCSU, Ted interned under legendary Sports Information Director, Bill Hamilton.

Crews is one of four Bulldog graduates mentored by Hamilton, who landed opportunities in the professional sports ranks.

Avis Roper who is the senior director of media relations for FOX Sports in New York after tenures with the NFL’s New York Giants and Indianapolis Colts; Corey Bowdre formerly worked as a senior sales assistant with the Boston Red Sox; and Damon White was once an assistant communications director with Urban Sports and Entertainment of Cornelius, NC; each were also mentored by Hamilton.

Through Hamilton’s relationships, Crews was given an opportunity with the Carolina Panthers as a summer intern, which he did for a couple of years before getting offered a fulltime position.

HBCU TIMES: First and foremost, let’s talk a little bit about your background and history. I was doing some research and I see that while you were an intern with the Carolina Panthers, you were also a student assistant in the sports information office at SC State as an undergraduate. That seems like a lot. How was that experience ?

TED CREWS: It was definitely a lot. I would spend Saturdays covering games for SCSU and would drive over 2 hours the next morning to cover games for the Carolina Panthers while receiving zero compensation, which I didn’t mind since I knew that achieving my goal would take hard work and my reward would be far greater than money”.

HBCU TIMES: It seems like you learned the value of hard work at a young age ?

TED CREWS: Hard work was instilled in me at a young age. “Work is important. Put in the work and anything is possible. For me, it goes all the way back to my parents. My dad is the person that taught me how to work, what work is, not to watch the clock, to enjoy the journey.

HBCU TIMES: You have accomplished a lot during your 22 years of communications experience in the NFL. You have worked for the Carolina Panthers, Atlanta Falcons, St. Louis Rams, and now the Vice President of Communications for the Kansas City Chiefs, who just won the 2020 Super bowl. I also see that you were the recipient of the “Salute to Excellence” Award by the Fritz Pollard Alliance Foundation. How does it feel to have accomplished so much at this level coming from an HBCU”?

TED CREWS: It has been an honor being a part of a super bowl winning organization and it was an honor being awarded by John Wooden and the recipients before me. I take pride in this CREWS

tremendous honor to share with my family and proud members of the Chiefs organization.

It’s an exciting feeling and I’m humbled to be in this position. I owe all of my success to my family and to South Carolina State University. I would not be here today if it wasn’t for South Carolina State University.

HBCU TIMES: Did you find it challenging making your way to the NFL coming from an HBCU and what advice would you give a current HBCU student that has an interest in having a career in professional sports ?

TED CREWS: Yes, it was a challenge but it wasn’t more or less challenging because of what school you attended. The NFL has 32 teams and there are only 32 individuals that do every job. The numbers are limited.

Every job has it’s challenges but it’s all about preparing for the opportunity. We all ask for opportunities, once we get it, it’s up to us.

The advice that I would give to a current HBCU student that’s interested in a career in pro sports is don’t ever think or dream small, don’t limit yourself to what you can do. If I’m here, anyone can be here. I’m no different than anyone else. I’ve been blessed with great parents, the best parents, a great wife and great kids that support the dream.

HBCU TIMES: You have worked for the NFL for quite a while, have you recently seen a significant increase in HBCU players playing in the NFL ? Or has this been going on and were just now seeing more of it due to social media ?

TED CREWS: HBCU players have always been scouted but when you have players like fellow SCSU Bulldog Darius Leonard and NC A&T Aggie Tarik Cohen that shine that bright and having that much success, scouts are saying “What did we miss ?” Scouting has grown so much that more players are now receiving more looks.

TED CREWS: As I mentioned earlier, all we ask for is an opportunity and it’s up to us what we do with it. Alex Brown is another player from South Carolina State University who was given an opportunity to play on the KC Chief ’s practice squad. He took that opportunity and earned a spot on the Chiefs roster as a Defensive Back. Alex just celebrated winning the super bowl in his rookie season. CREWS

HBCU TIMES: You definitely have an inspiring story and have accomplished a lot in your career. So what’s next on your list ?

TED CREWS: I’m just focused on continuing to be an asset to the organization that I enjoy working for. I am surrounded by great people. I’ve learned that when you work with good people that are honest with you, it’s an ease to work through anything.

I also plan on spending more time with my wife and kids and taking my kids to visit my alma mater SC State. The state of SC means a lot to me and SC State University means the world to me. I also want to take my kids to visit other HBCUs. I’m not saying they have to attend an HBCU I just want to ensure that my kids understand HBCUs and include them in their options of schools to attend.

E. Jerome Pearson Jr. is a published Sports Journalist, Sports Photographer, Certified Sports Agent, owner of Sports Wire Magazine and contributing journalist for HBCU Times.

Mr. Pearson is a native of Bennettsville, SC and attended South Carolina State University where he earned his Bachelors and Masters degree. He later received his certificate in Contract Law from Harvard University. Pearson is also a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc.