CRISWELL, Jeff ~ Graceland's Hall of Fame

CRISWELL

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 8/25/2013 at 19:57:58

HALL of FAME

Jeff Criswell
Graceland University, Lamoni, Iowa

Jeff CRISWELL grew up in the small town of Searsboro, Iowa (population 164), and graduated from Lynnville-Sully High School. He came to Graceland in 1982 and was a 4-year starter for the Yellowjackets as an offensive lineman.

While at Graceland, Jeff earned All-American honors before graduating in 1986 with a BA degree in Education.

Although he played 3 games with the Indianapolis Colts in 1987, it was in 1988 that Jeff truly succeeded in his quest for the NFL. In that year, Jeff signed a 1-year contract with the New York Jets-making him the first Graceland graduate to play in the NFL. During his 8 years with the Jets, Jeff started 104 of 108 games played and was named to the USA Today's All-Underrated team.

While in New York, Jeff maintained his small town values and worked for a variety of charitable organizations. He formed "O-Line Limited", a charitable marketing firm and initiated the "Boomer's Body Guards" campaign to benefit Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

In 1995, Jeff signed with the Kansas City Chiefs as an unrestricted free agent from the Jets, and was the starting left tackle for two season. CRISWELL played with the Chiefs until his retirement in 1999.

Jeff CRISWELL was inducted into Graceland University's Hall of Fame in 2000.

SOURCES: gujackets.com/f/Hall_of_Fame.php
"Chiefs' Criswell, Hughes Left Available." Sports Illustrated. 14 Jan 1999.

Submission by Sharon R. Becker, August of 2013