Croxdale deserving of high honor

At a time in which diehard Napa High fans have seen part of its history go away, there is
another part of the past that is experiencing the opposite fate.

Jake Croxdale, who graduated in 2008, will join Steve Hendrickson and John Boyett
among those who will have their jersey retired. Croxdale wore No. 11, same as his former
head coach (Troy Mott) who was also a tremendous athlete in his own right. Hendrickson,
who graduated in 1985, wore No. 30 while Boyett, who was Croxdale’s 2008 classmate,
wore No. 12.

As much as one can hold his athletic achievements in high esteem, Croxdale is dominating
the game of life as well. Going from athletic stud to US Army Ranger. I consider talking to
him about that transition to be on my blogger’s bucket list but that’s another conversation
for another day. You hear the phrase, “great athlete but even better person so often.” I have
interacted with Croxdale off and on throughout the years but have talked to both his dad
(Joe Croxdale) and Boyett’s father (Dan Boyett) quite regularly and find no reason to
question that description. My conversations with Joe and Dan have taken a few offramps
but I digress.   

The news takes place two months after a process in which there was a mascot change that
saw Napa High go from being known as the Indians for 120 years to the Grizzlies, which
was named last week. Croxdale will be honored in a pregame ceremony before Napa’s
nonleague contest at Memorial Stadium against East Union (Manteca). His jersey will be
displayed at Messner Gym in a trophy case and will also receive a second one.  

By my own admission, I have fired written grenades at the Napa High administration and
Napa Valley Unified School district board members for their handling of the mascot change
as well as the handling of the football team’s alleged hazing scandal as it pertained to Mott
and fellow coaches. I take back nothing I said or wrote. I’m sorry if they feel different but
I’m not sorry for how I feel.

The only reason I bring those points up is not to go down the same rabbit holes but if I’m
going to criticize for negative outcomes, I must be willing to praise when good deeds arise.
The gesture to retire Croxdale’s jersey could be seen as one to smooth over negative feelings
from recent decisions, and if it is, you can’t blame the powers that be for trying but I don’t
think that’s the case. Make no mistake, Croxdale belongs in such high esteem.

Look at the company Croxdale is joining. Hendrickson started in the CIF Sac-Joaquin
Section title game in 1981 as a freshman and capped his prep career by being named to the
All-State team as a linebacker. Hendrickson played his college football at UC Berkeley and
in the NFL for San Francisco, Dallas, Arizona and San Diego.

Boyett received first-team All-State accolades from CalHiSports.com and four-star acclaim
by Scout.com, Northern California Player of the Year honors by GoldenStatePreps.com, and
EA Sports second-team All-America. Boyett played his college football at the University
of Oregon and was drafted in the sixth round by the Indianapolis Colts. He also was on the
Denver Broncos practice squad and played in the Canadian Football League.

When I look at Croxdale’s jersey retirement, I point to the Indians 2006-2007 seasons. Mott
had taken over for Jerry Dunlap and was handed a turn-key roster led by Boyett, Croxdale,
Robbie Steen and Andrew Pieper. Boyett and Croxdale were like Napa’s version of Michael
Jordan and Scottie Pippen. Boyett played the Jordan role, Croxdale played the Pippen role
in that he was like a swiss army knife. On offense, he played tailback, fullback and slot
receiver. Defensively, he played weakside linebacker, middle linebacker and special teams.

The 2006 Indians reached the CIF Sac Joaquin Section Div. I semifinals only to lose to
Elk Grove. The next season, Napa reached the summit of the SJS Div. I mountaintop for the
first time in school history. I remember following the Indians from afar when I was an
Upvalley beat reporter and I attended a game as a spectator. This team was amazing to watch
and will be remembered for generations because such a team will be hard to duplicate.

Croxdale starred as a two-way player and possesses three career school records: points scored
(366), most yards rushing (3,190), all-purpose yards (4,703). He also has six season school
records: points scored (228), most yards rushing (2,035), all-purpose yards (2,984), most
tackles (105), most sacks (3), kickoff yards (379).

He was an important part of one of the greatest, most memorable plays, in Napa history.
Croxdale caught a 31-yard pass from Boyett on fourth down and 6 from Napa’s 40-yard line
with three minutes to go in a semifinal-round game at Elk Grove. The key play kept the drive
alive and Napa later scored the game-winning touchdown.

Croxdale, who went on to play his college football at Sacramento State, brought another
quality in that he seldom if ever missed a weight room session or practice.

Whether it is establishing an Athletic Hall of Fame or retiring jerseys, I have always
championed those ways as ones to honor the past. Napa High has had an Athletic Hall of
Fame for about 20 years, plus or minus a few, with many decorated members that span
multiple generations. However, with Hall of Fames there are usually five inductees per
year. Retiring jerseys, however, is really high esteem. All you need to know is Croxdale
will be the third for football.

The retired jerseys and Hall of Fame does not help today’s teams win games but it can
serve as a way to maintain that connection to the past and perhaps make youngsters aspire
to reach greater heights.

Seeing Croxdale honored in such high regard is a pleasant sight.