ATLANTA (Aug. 29, 2019) – In keeping with its tradition of recognizing notable team alumni, officials today announced that Jamison Crowder and Calvin Ridley will be honorary captains for their respective alma maters at the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game between Duke and No. 2 Alabama. The duo will join the team captains at midfield for the pregame coin toss prior to the 3:30 p.m. ET kickoff on Aug. 31 in Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Representing the Duke Blue Devils as honorary captain will be current New York Jets wide receiver Jamison Crowder, who played at Duke under head coach David Cutcliffe from 2011-2014. Crowder set an ACC single-season record with 108 receptions, and then tied the ACC all-time record for career receptions during his final collegiate game with 283. He finished his career in Durham with 283 catches, 3,641 yards and 23 touchdowns. Crowder then entered the 2015 NFL Draft and was selected in the fourth round by the Washington Redskins. In four seasons with Washington, he caught 221 passes for 2,628 yards and 14 scores, before signing a three-year deal with the New York Jets earlier this year.
Serving as the honorary captain for the Crimson Tide will be Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley, who played at Alabama under head coach Nick Saban from 2015-2017. In only his first season, Ridley led the SEC in receptions with 89 on the way to helping the Crimson Tide win the College Football Playoff National Championship. The 2017 First Team All-SEC selection finished second in Alabama history for receptions (224) and receiving touchdowns (19), while ranking third in receiving yards with 2,781. After being selected in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons, he caught 64 passes for 821 yards and 10 touchdowns in his rookie season, a Falcons rookie record.
The 15th edition of the nation’s longest-running kickoff game will feature the first meeting between Duke and Alabama since 2010, an Alabama win in Durham. Duke will be making its first appearance at the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game, while this year’s matchup will be Alabama’s sixth trip opening the season in Atlanta. The Crimson Tide will look to remain undefeated in the game with a perfect 5-0 record to date and Duke will attempt to secure the ACC’s first Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game victory since 2012.
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