November 2013 South Carolina Living Magazine Vol. 1 | Page 18

Milton Morris

‘One day I hope they
understand that as much as
I’m helping them, they’re
helping me even more.’

no sports for the rest of 2002. Without the emotional
release of athletics, Crosby was left alone to rehabilitate.
And think. The more he began to think, the more he
wondered if the dreams he was chasing were just a mirage.
In 2003, Crosby’s brother disappeared while swimming
in a lake outside Union. Divers found the body three days
later. The cascade of tragedy exacted an emotional toll that
was almost impossible to push aside.
“I went for the quick fixes to feel better,” Crosby recalls.
“I’d buy a car. Go out all night. Stupid things like that.
I couldn’t see I was just digging a deeper hole for myself.”
Then there were Crosby’s obligations. By the summer
of 2003, the Royals were pushing him to forget football
and focus on baseball. When Crosby said he needed the
summer off to take classes at Clemson and continue his
football eligibility, the relationship went south.

on game day
When: The 2013 Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl kicks off
Dec. 14 at noon.
Where: Doug Shaw Memorial Stadium, 705 33rd Avenue South,
North Myrtle Beach
How: Buy tickets in advance online at:
https://touchstonebowlgame.eventbrite.com
Advance tickets bought before Dec. 14 are $15. Tickets bought on
game day at the stadium are $20.
Co-op Connections discount: Purchase tickets online
and enter the discount code Touchstone to save 10 percent.
Can’t go? Watch the game online at HTC.com. The game
will also be carried live by the South Carolina Radio Network,
southcarolinaradionetwork.com.

18

The Royals withheld an installment of Crosby’s bonus
money. The team stopped paying his Clemson tuition; legal
arbitration dragged on for 24 months.
In August, Crosby returne