Quick Chat: Ahkil Crumpton

By John Frierson
Staff Writer

Ahkil Crumpton had a unique run from November through February. Not only was the senior receiver from Philadelphia helping the Georgia football team win the SEC and advance all the way to the National Championship Game, his hometown Eagles were on their own run to the Super Bowl.

Crumpton had one very memorable on-field moment from last season, his first with the Bulldogs after playing at Los Angeles Valley (Calif.) Community College. In the regular-season finale at Georgia Tech, the speedy 5-foot-9, 175-pound wideout, who'd had three catches for 18 yards all season before that, caught a 78-yard touchdown pass in the 38-7 rout of the Yellow Jackets.

During a Quick Chat after practice Thursday, Crumpton talked about that play, going through Georgia and the Eagles' great seasons and much more. Here's some of what he had to say:

Frierson: That great touchdown you had against Georgia Tech, do you ever think back on that play or other big plays in your career, just to feel good or boost your confidence if you need it?

Crumpton: I wouldn't say I use it for my confidence, but it's good to look back on. It was a good play I made but I'm looking forward to making bigger plays.

Frierson: You're a Philadelphia native that was on a Georgia team that was within a play or two of winning the national championship, and then you got to see the Eagles win the Super Bowl. What was that stretch of December, January and February like for you?

Crumpton: Last year was just a big year. The Sixers made it back to the playoffs also and there was just a lot going on in Philadelphia. It was a good year.

Frierson: How into the Eagles' run to the Super Bowl were you?

Crumpton: Actually, I'm a Ravens fan, but I'm an Eagles fan by default because I grew up on them and around Eagles fans. I was just happy that my city was happy.

Frierson: What's something creative you do, or something creative you wish you could do?

Crumpton: I like to draw and I actually like to cook, also.

Frierson: Tell me about the cooking.

Crumpton: I'm big on seasoning and stuff like that, creating my own types of stuff.

Frierson: What's your best dish?

Crumpton: A pineapple boat with shrimp, rice, green peppers and red and yellow peppers.

Frierson: Wow. That's impressive. Do you ever have your teammates over and cook for them?

Crumpton: I did in junior college.

Frierson: Where would you go if you were given all the time and money you needed to travel anywhere in the world? And who would you take with you?

Crumpton: I'd probably go to Africa, and I'd probably take my mother.

Frierson: Any particular part of Africa you'd like to see?

Crumpton: Not really, I just want to get the experience.

Frierson: Who's the most interesting guy on the team? Who's got the best stories and always has something interesting going on?

Crumpton: I'd have to say (defensive backs) Divaad Wilson and Mark Webb. They're just high-energy people, Mark and Divaad are very funny and they're always enlightening each room they step in.

Frierson: How many guys on the team are really, really funny? It seems like there are a lot of them.

Crumpton: There's a lot of funny people on the team, but Divaad and Mark have to take that (title).

Frierson: What's the best live performance you've ever seen?

Crumpton: Probably Meek Mill, at the Wells Fargo Center.

Frierson: In terms of sporting events, does the Rose Bowl rank at the very top? I know it's different when you're out there in uniform versus someone in the stands, but were you still able to realize how extraordinary a thing that was?

Crumpton: That was probably the best game I've probably been in in my life, the atmosphere and energy, the game going back and forth.

Frierson: Say you no longer needed to sleep, that you could be awake all the time and never get tired, what would you do with those extra seven or eight hours a day?

Crumpton: I'd train, work on my craft. I'd become the best route runner in the world.

Frierson: Is that the key for you, running the most precise routes possible?

Crumpton: I feel like growing up I didn't really take route running seriously, but now I'm starting to understand how easy it makes catching the ball.

Frierson: I have one last question, which may be controversial: Is the cheesesteak actually a good sandwich? I have my doubts.

Crumpton: It's good but it's not good for you, if that makes any sense. One cheesesteak a month would probably be good.

Frierson: I've never had one where I was like, OK, I understand why this is a famous sandwich.

Crumpton: It's good, it's a belly filler.

Frierson: When people visit Philadelphia, where do you tell them to go?

Crumpton: Most people that come into the city go to Pat and Geno's, but I feel like the best cheesesteaks are from the local corner stores, Jim's Steaks and places like that.

(This Q&A was lightly edited for length and clarity.)

John Frierson is the staff writer for the UGA Athletic Association and curator of the ITA Men's Tennis Hall of Fame. You can find his work at: Frierson Files. He's also on Twitter: @FriersonFiles and @ITAHallofFame.

University of Georgia Athletics

Players Mentioned

Ahkil Crumpton

Mark Webb

Divaad Wilson

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