Spain: Osos Rivas sign former star ELF RB Joc Crawford

The Osos Rivas, defending Spanish National League of American Football champions, have announced the signing of one of the leading running backs in the European League of Football for the past two years, Joc Crawford.

The 34-year-old Crawford rushed for 1,088 yards and nine touchdowns last season for the Berlin Thunder, good for second in the league following his 2021 season when he rushed for 1,057 yards and seven scores. The 6’1″, 245-pound veteran has had a long international career with stops in Finland, Brazil, Germany and Romania.

Before beginning his global career, the Memphis, Tennessee, native was a top high school recruit playing both running back and safety. However, prior to joining the division one ranks, Crawford starred as a Junior College All-American at Cisco (Texas) Junior College rushing for 1,935 yards and 19 touchdowns in his sophomore season. He then went on to play for Kansas University (NCAA D1 FBS) and Tennessee Tech (NCAA D1 FCS). As a Kansas Jayhawk, Crawford rushed for 242 yards and four touchdowns before transferring after one season in Lawrence. In his final collegiate season, the senior rushed for 419 yards and four touchdowns as a member of the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles.

The physical running back started off his international career winning league MVP with the Seinäjoki Crocodiles in Finland. He followed that season up with another rushing title, this time with the Turku Trojans. Soon thereafter, the Maple League All-Star moved to Brazil playing there from 2015 to 2018. In his four seasons in Brazil, Crawford suited up for the Santos Tsunami, Corinthians, Recife Mariners, and Cruzeiro Imperadores.