Craig Curry (quarterback)
Craig Curry | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 5, 1950 Coral Gables, Florida, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Former collegiate quarterback, academic advisor, athletic director |
| Years active | 1969–1971 (football) |
| Known for | Quarterback for Minnesota Golden Gophers; led Big Ten in total offense in 1971 |
Craig Curry (born August 5, 1950) is a former collegiate quarterback who competed for the Minnesota Golden Gophers between 1969 and 1971. Hailing from Coral Gables, Florida, he was a standout athlete at Coral Gables Senior High School and ranked among the top high school quarterbacks nationwide in recruitment. During his tenure at Minnesota, Curry led the Big Ten Conference in total offense in 1971, accumulating 2,071 yards. In 1972, he participated in tryouts with the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League (NFL).
Early life and education
Initially enrolled at Carver High School, Curry faced a choice due to integration policies between the all-black Mays High School and Coral Gables Senior High School. Opting for Coral Gables, he earned the nickname "The Negro Quarterback." After achieving a 7-3 record as a junior, he propelled his team to an undefeated 13-0 season during his senior year, securing Florida’s large school state championship; this squad was later honored as "The Team of The Century" by the Florida High School Athletic Association.
Coach Nick Kotys endured criticism for positioning Curry as quarterback—a role seldom assigned to black athletes at that time—but maintained him as the starter for two seasons. Reflecting on the 1967 national championship victory, Kotys stated, "Craig does all the thinking. I only nod OK."
A guidance counselor recommended that Curry discontinue science courses due to his underdeveloped math skills from Carver High. Subsequently, he prioritized football over academics, a decision he later viewed with regret. Although his initial aspiration was to attend the University of Miami, threats to his safety compelled him to enroll at the University of Minnesota, where he completed a degree in psychology.
Career
Curry was drafted by the Miami Dolphins, but after being released, he encountered personal difficulties before embarking on a 16-year tenure at IBM. Later, he served as an academic advisor for student-athletes at the University of Michigan and led the Center for the African-American Male at Albany State University. Additionally, he held the position of athletic director at the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff.