They wore the same jersey, walked the same tunnel, and carried the same name into NFL history. Randy Crowder once bled teal and orange for the Dolphins. Decades later, his son Channing did the same, rushing out of the same locker room his father once called home. This wasn’t just legacy. It was destiny etched into shoulder pads and Sundays. Randy, once a physical therapy major who planned to pursue graduate school, was nicknamed “Sugar Bear”—tough as steel on the field, soft-spoken and warm off it. That duality became part of Channing, too. The same grit. The same calm. The Dolphins, mourning the loss of legendary lineman, wrote, “We are saddened by the passing of former Dolphins player Randy Crowder.”

Before Randy Crowder became one of the league’s most disruptive linemen, he lined up at tight end as a freshman. That didn’t last long. His shift to defense brought him All-America honors and the Outstanding Defensive Player award from Washington’s Pigskin Club. He racked up 78 tackles in his senior year and earned comparisons to Bengals great Mike Reid. Penn State legend Joe Paterno once said Crowder had that same rare fire. That fire carried him into the 1974 NFL Draft, where the Miami Dolphins took a chance. By year two, Don Shula called him “maybe the quickest tackle in the league.” Ninety-five tackles in just 11 games proved him right.

Crowder’s NFL journey stretched six seasons, split between the Dolphins and Buccaneers. In Miami, he became a force. In Tampa Bay, he became a pioneer. He played all 16 games in 1979 and helped the Bucs reach the playoffs for the first time in team history. His impact wasn’t loud, but it was lasting. But those who knew him know: his spirit lives on—in the game, in the jersey, and most of all, in his son.

Channing Crowder opened his heart to his 292,000 followers with a message that carried deep weight. He was mourning the loss of his father, Randy Crowder, who passed away at the age of 72 on 21st May 2025. “Still trying to find the words… Last week, I said goodbye to my father.” The Instagram post was raw, and it was a son reaching for closure.

Michael Strahan was among the first to respond, sharing, “❤🙏🏾 Condolences, Love and Prayers to you and the family brother!” Ryan Clark also added his voice, saying, “Blessings brother, still praying with y’all.” The NFL community didn’t just see a player mourning. 

The retired defensive end of the Dolphins, Jason Taylor, also commented, “Condolences my man. Prayers for you and the family.” Steelers’ CB Darius Slay also extended his support. He commented, “🙏🙏”. The community saw a son honoring his legacy. The responses weren’t just condolences—they were reminders of how the bonds built in football stretch far beyond the field.

“Heaven got a good one”: Channing Crowder says goodbye to Randy Crowder

Before Channing Crowder ever wore a Dolphins jersey or took the mic as a sports personality, he was just a kid chasing greatness with his father watching closely. Randy Crowder wasn’t just a former NFL player—he was Channing’s first coach, biggest fan, and lifelong compass. So when his biggest support passed away, Channing shared a tribute that peeled back the layers of fame to show something deeper: a son grieving the loss of his hero.

In the first photo of Channing’s post, Randy stands proud, frozen in a vintage frame, helmet off, eyes sharp. The rest tell a different story: father, husband, and joyful grandfather. Weddings and ordinary days turned sacred through the camera’s lens. These weren’t moments staged for glory—they were the moments that built a legacy far greater than football. “A man who wore many titles: teammate, leader, mentor, husband, and Dad.”

Then came the words that pierced through the noise. “He was a fighter, both on the field and in life. And he fought until the end,” Channing wrote. “Health complications may have taken his body, but it can never touch the impact he made to so many. Everything I know about discipline, heart, and resilience — I learned from him. His legacy isn’t just in the game, but in the man he raised. I’ll carry your name with pride and I promise that I will make you proud. Heaven got a good one. Love you forever old man. Keep laughing !!!”

That impact didn’t go unnoticed. NBA champion Udonis Haslem sent his love: “Condolences my brotha…” Darius Butler added, “Condolences bro 🖤🕊.” The football world saw a legacy honored—not through stats or rings, but through the eyes of a son who understood what greatness really looks like.