The two Ball State football players who will walk to midfield Thursday night for the coin toss embody the type of player coach Stan Parrish wants.
Defensive lineman Brandon Crawford and tight end Madaris Grant will serve as this year's captains after being unanimously elected by their teammates.
"Those two guys are the true meaning of this football team," Parrish said. "There are no silver spoons on this team."
This is Crawford's second year as captain, but he was still humbled by the honor.
"It's a tremendous feeling," Crawford said. "I tried to work hard during the offseason and meet everyone I could face-to-face."
Grant said he just felt honored to even be considered to be a captain, when there were so many other options.
"I was selected and that means I was one of the guys that was showing the hard work and ethic and character to be up here and be able to lead the team," Grant said.
Grant will take over as starting tight end this season. Last year, he played in all 14 games, totaling 285 receiving yards. Grant has played in all 38 games in his career.
Parrish made it clear becoming captains wasn't just a reward for the pair, but a true representation of the team.
"It's not a mantle where you can put a trophy on a guy's shoulders anymore," Parrish said. "There's a lot of responsibility with it."
Parrish said the two captains weren't always such obvious choices.
"No one struggled more than [Grant] as a freshman or sophomore," Parrish said. "He really fought through it all. The Soldier walked into our place [four] years ago and no one knew who he was."
Crawford walked onto the football team after spending four years in the Marines. Grant called him one of the best teammates he's ever had.
"I have as much respect for Brandon Crawford as anybody I've ever played a sport with," he said. "He really exemplifies leading by example."
Last year, the 33-year-old started all 14 games and recorded three sacks. As the defense makes a transition to the 4-3 alignment, Crawford has been a help to his teammates.
"He knows every position on the defensive line," junior Robert Eddins said. "If anyone forgets something he's able to tell you what to do."
With an especially young team this year, that is the kind of leadership Parrish is looking for.
"There are so many young, impressionable kids," Parrish said. "They may have the toughest job of any captain that's ever been here, at least since I've been here."
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