Arkansas college football player spreads faith in Clovis

Offensive lineman J.D. Crumby understands the sacrifice of spending time in Clovis – 739 miles from his Arkansas home – while attempting to become a pillar of Lyons College; an National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics in Arkansas. 

Back home, a chest day for example, would feature him using a typical bench press. But here in Clovis, he's relegated to using a Smith Machine bench press at the local Planet Fitness to continue his training. Without the option of a free moving bar, it could limit the sturdiness needed to bully defensive lineman. 

In Crumby's mind, it's a small sacrifice to make because it gives him an opportunity to work with IMPACT– which stands for "I Must Personally Advance Christ Today" – in Clovis this past week. The ministry group is paired up with Clovis Landmark Missionary Baptists and Pastor Danny Kennedy. Several of the roughly 200 members hail from east Texas and even as far as Louisiana. 

"Everybody needs Jesus," Crumby told The News, while donning gray sweats and a turquoise cut-off T-shirt in between sets of flat bench press. 

Clusters of those turquoise T-shirts with "Impact" have gone around Clovis spending time in nursing homes, offering free car washes, hot dogs in the park and snacks and water at a local laundromat.

Crumby, who was canvassing with IMPACT earlier on Thursday, said that he's aware some people may be put off by it and isn't a stranger to rapid rejections. But part of his unrelenting drive is linked to how he's seen faith have a positive impact on his life. Particularly on the football field in recent years. 

After moving from Oklahoma to Arkansas his senior year because his father, who's a pastor, took over a new church, Crumby found himself in a difficult predicament. While he'd built a solid reputation as a football player in Oklahoma, he'd have to start all over again and crack a spot on the new roster. Adding to this difficult situation was the frustration accrued over how he'd just helped his previous high school help make the biggest playoff run in school history.

Nonetheless, Crumby was eager to make a good impression on Southside High School Head Coach Brian Reardon. So, he regularly showed up to 6:30 a.m. summer workouts at 5:30 a.m. and prayed in his Nissan Pathfinder. 

Crumby said those prayers resembled something along the lines of "Lord, I don't know what I'm doing here ... let me know what to do." 

That turned into being something of a utility man for Reardon's squad. With a positive mindset built through prayer and faith, he manned all five positions on the offensive line. By season's end he was recruited by local NAIA Lyons College. It offered an opportunity to stay close to family, but Crumby committed to Peru State – an NAIA in Nebraska in 2021.

The move wound up "backfiring" on him after a coaching change in his second season.

He says it was a sign from the Lord that he should've committed to Lyons College in the first college. 

So, he transferred back and after not starting last year, Lyons offensive coordinator Will Lawhorn feels that he could make an immense impact as the school plans to make the jump from NAIA to Division III after this upcoming season. 

"He's got that charismatic personality that people are gonna kind of buy into," Willhorn said. 

But in order to get there, Crumby feels it's best for him to train while spreading his faith. Hence the repping of 270 pounds on that Planet Fitness smith machine before a night service for Impact hosted by Kennedy and Clovis Landmark Missionary Baptist. 

"I love being here. Do I wish I could still train at home? Absolutely. I got football season, I want to accomplish all these things," Crumby said, before saying, "What's a week away from Batesville (Crumby's home) to change people's lives forever?"