You probably know Terry Crews as the guy who plays the flute, flexes his pectorals in Old Spice commercials, or keeps the precinct in check on Brooklyn Nine-Nine. He’s a Hollywood staple. But before the red carpets and the "pec dance," there was the turf. And honestly, the story of every Terry Crews football team isn’t just a list of stats—it’s a gritty masterclass in survival.
Most fans assume he was just another big guy who played a few games and called it quits. That's not even close to the truth. His career was a chaotic, seven-year scramble across the United States and even Europe. He wasn't a superstar. He was a "bubble player," the kind of guy who lived every single day knowing he was one bad practice away from being unemployed.
Where It All Started: The Western Michigan Broncos
Long before the NFL, Terry Crews was a standout at Western Michigan University. He didn't just stumble onto the field. He actually went to the school on an art scholarship first. Think about that for a second. Most NFL hopefuls are singular in their focus, but Crews was already a "Renaissance Man" in the making.
He eventually walked onto the football team, and the coaches quickly realized they had a physical specimen on their hands. By the time he was a senior, he was a dominant force.
- 1988 MAC Champion: He helped lead the Broncos to a Mid-American Conference title.
- All-Conference Honors: He earned second-team All-MAC honors as a defensive end.
- The Numbers: In his final year, he racked up 42 tackles and 11 tackles for loss.
He was fast, strong, and played with a level of intensity that caught the eyes of professional scouts. He wasn't just a body; he was a playmaker who recovered four fumbles throughout his college career, nearly breaking the school record.
The NFL Draft and the Los Angeles Rams (1991)
The dream became "real" in 1991. The Los Angeles Rams selected Terry Crews in the 11th round of the NFL Draft. He was the 281st overall pick. In today's NFL, the 11th round doesn't even exist—the draft ends at round seven. This tells you exactly how much of a long shot he was.
His time with the Rams was a revolving door of transactions. He played six games in 1991, primarily on special teams. He wore number 94. It was a brutal introduction to the business side of the league. One week you're on the active roster; the next, you're on the practice squad. By August 1992, the Rams finally let him go.
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The Journeyman Years: San Diego and Washington
After the Rams, Crews became the ultimate journeyman. He had a cup of coffee with the Green Bay Packers in early 1993 but didn't make the final cut for the regular season.
Later that year, he landed with the San Diego Chargers. He managed to stay on the roster for 10 games during the '93 season. He wore number 51 and played linebacker. If you look at the stats, they're modest—one tackle—but staying on an NFL roster for 10 games as a late-round draft pick is an achievement in itself.
Then came 1995. This was arguably the peak of his playing career in terms of sheer activity. He played all 16 games for the Washington Redskins (now the Commanders).
- Position: Defensive End/Linebacker
- Number: 90
- Stats: 2 tackles (1 solo, 1 assisted)
It’s easy to look at those two tackles and laugh, but you have to understand the role. Crews was a special teams "demon." He was the guy flying down the field on kickoffs, throwing his body into a pile of 300-pound men so someone else could make the stop. It was thankless, painful work.
The Overseas Adventure: Rhein Fire (1995)
Before he suited up for Washington in '95, he took a detour to Germany. He played for the Rhein Fire in the World League of American Football (which later became NFL Europe). This is a detail people often miss.
He wasn't just "hanging on" in the States; he was willing to fly across the Atlantic just to keep the dream alive. With the Rhein Fire, he actually got to show more of his defensive prowess, recording 5 sacks during the season. It was this performance in Germany that likely earned him the look from Washington later that year.
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The "Hustle" in the Locker Room
The most fascinating part of any Terry Crews football team story isn't the games—it's what he did between them. Crews was famously "broke" during much of his NFL career.
To make ends meet, he leaned back into his art scholarship roots. He would go around the locker room and offer to paint portraits of his teammates. He’d charge about $5,000 per commission, often spending two months on a single piece.
"I would go to the stars of the team... guys like Ken Harvey or Brian Mitchell... and ask if they wanted their portraits done. That's how I fed my family when the NFL checks weren't enough."
He even created a series of NFL-licensed lithographs. He wasn't just a linebacker; he was the team's unofficial artist. This "hustle" is what eventually gave him the confidence to move to Los Angeles and pursue acting after he retired in 1997 following a final preseason stint with the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Hard Truth About His Career
Let's be honest: Terry Crews wasn't going to the Hall of Fame. His career stats over 32 NFL games are modest.
- Total Tackles: 3
- Sacks: 0 (in the NFL)
- Games Started: 0
But focusing on the stats misses the point. The NFL is a league where the average career lasts about three years. Crews fought and clawed for seven years across multiple leagues and five different NFL organizations. He survived cuts, practice squads, and league-wide layoffs.
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Lessons from the Gridiron
What can we take away from Terry's time in the dirt? First, versatility is a survival skill. He was a defensive end in college, a linebacker in the NFL, a special teams specialist, and a locker-room artist. If he hadn't been willing to change roles, he would have been out of the league in six months.
Second, use your "side hustle" to fuel your main dream. His art didn't just pay the bills; it kept him sane and provided a bridge to his next career. When he finally walked away from the game, he didn't leave with nothing. He left with a portfolio and a work ethic that Hollywood couldn't break.
If you’re looking for a lesson in persistence, don't look at his IMDb page. Look at the transaction logs of the 1991 Rams. That’s where the real Terry Crews was forged.
Actionable Insights for the Aspiring Pro
- Master Special Teams: If you aren't a top-10 draft pick, your survival depends on your ability to play special teams. It’s the "entry-level" job of the NFL.
- Network Early: Crews built relationships with veteran stars through his art. Those connections mattered when he transitioned to acting.
- Have a "Plan B" that you actually practice: Don't just think about what's next. Actively develop those skills while you're still playing. Crews was painting during the season, not just after it.
Whether you're an athlete or just a fan, the story of the Terry Crews football team journey is a reminder that success isn't always about being the MVP. Sometimes, it’s just about being the guy who refuses to leave the building.
Check out Terry's official social media or his autobiography, Manhood, for more firsthand accounts of his time in the league—the stories are even wilder than you’d think.