Player Profile: Keita Crespina

August 5, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Philadelphia Soul News Release


Each week Philadelphiasoul.com will feature two members of the Soul for a player profile in alphabetical order. Today's feature: WR/DB Keita Crespina Keita Crepsina is the epitome of what the Arena Football League is all about.

A two-way player on the field, Crespina was one of the most consistent defensive backs on the field for the Soul until suffering a season ending knee sprain against the Colorado Crush (5/1).

If you were to look at Keita Crespina's statistics from this year chances are you wouldn't be blown off your seat, however, it's what Crespina contributes off the field that earned him the Coaches Award this season.

On any given day you'll be likely to find Crespina working as hard in the community as he is on the practice field and in the meeting rooms. An MVP in the Soul's community relations department, Crespina has been to countless community appearances and even before joining the Soul gave motivational speeches to the inner city youth of Philadelphia.

A native Philadelphian, Crespina was a stand-out member of the Temple University football team and was invited to join the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent in 1993 and again in 1997.

After a few shots in the NFL Crespina found himself with the New Jersey Red Dogs in 1999 and has been a fixture in the AFL ever since. After joining the Tampa Bay Storm in 2002, Crespina was named Ironman of the Year by his teammates as he led the team in tackles with 61.0.

Most people never get the chance to play their favorite sport professionally and if they do, even fewer have the chance to play in front of their friends and family, in a building they grew up in.

"It was magnificent just to come home," said Crespina. "It's every happy feeling you could ever have. It was my childhood dream to play professional football in the city and to try out with the Eagles and not make it and then to have this opportunity, it's phenomenal."

Even this season during the bye week, when most players get away from football and spend time with their family, Crespina dedicated his time to tutoring youths in the Philadelphia area with City Year which provides programs for children during the spring break to keep them off the streets.

"I try to tell the kids there's more out there than a four-block radius," said Crespina. "I tell them you can use athletics and academics to break the cycle, it can be done, you don't have to stay the same course just because of where you're from."

This off season has been no different for the community minded Crespina. Along with his brother Brett, Crespina held a week long football camp. All proceeds of the camp go to a Simon Gratz High School student to help defer the costs of college. The scholarship is named in memory of his mother, Gwendolyn Crespina.

Crespina is also working with students at Girard College in Philadelphia as a counselor. In that position Crespina has taught kids how to play chess, tutored students reading skills and encouraged students to express themselves creatively.

"Keita has been very active in promoting the Soul since we had the chance to acquire his rights last fall," said Soul head coach Michael Trigg. "Whenever there's an appearance or a community event he's always the first to volunteer and he has a contagious excitement that makes him a great spokesperson for the Philadelphia Soul and the Arena Football League. That excitement transcends into his work ethic and demeanor. He's the type of guy that you look for when you want to have good people on the field and off."

This off season Crespina has been spending time in the weight room alongside Soul FB/LB Marlion Jackson. With the probably one of the most chiseled frames in the AFL, Crespina figures to learn a thing or two from Jackson in the weight room.

"If I can get a little bit of what he's got," said Crespina. "I think I'll be alright."

If we could all be a little bit of what Crespina is in the community, we'd be alright.



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from August 5, 2004


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