The Tim Croff Story, a powerful lesson on alcohol, gangs, and guns

SPECIAL EDITOR’S NOTE: Tim Croff, who just graduated from Dobson High School in Mesa, Arizona, graciously consented to tell his story. He hopes that it will be of help to both coaches and athletes. Let me say up front, there are sensitive issues concerning Tim’s incident with alcohol, gangs and guns but I feel these issues need to be talked about with both athletes and non-athletes. This article should provide a vehicle for meaningful discussion. I admire Tim for being so honest and forthright. He is a courageous person with a great heart.

However, life is about choices. Sometimes good kids will make a comes by with 5 minority type guys. vulnerable position. away. I didn’t want any trouble.

But, then some remarks were made. that happened in Tim’s own words: was looking forward to another great year. Why? Well, he had a lot car. They were going to another “T was at a birthday party for one and we ended up shaking hands. palm of his hand.

Tim CROFF - TRAGEDY TO NATIONAL CHAMPION gi “They cut my clothes off. The shot gun pellets hit my genitals, stomach and arm which required surgery. I spent two weeks in the hospital. They told me my work in the weight room probably saved my life. They never caught the guys but it was speculated that the shooter was a gang member from Los Angeles. “After I got out of the hospital on Friday, I started running three days later. There was no way I was going to miss my senior year of football. I made it to all the practices. My grip Tim’s great strength helped him win a national championship.

I’m in pretty good shape now. We are still paying on the deductible on the car to face those guys. I tried to grab him but wasn’t quick enough. the hospital bill. “T learned that it is best to mind get my friend back in the car. mouth shut. Stay with your friends and don’t go to big parties. I have have time to react or say anything. right in front of me 10-15 feet away. to screw up my future.”

The guy with the shot gun blasted me. I was hit in the arm, stomach, groin area and my leg. The only vertical leap! was bad. It knocked my breath out. the gut. I was just tryin’ to get away. we could. couldn’t. My friends helped me in. remember anything after that.

He has a complete workout which includes Plyometric Box Jumping. i TIM CROFF - TRAGEDY TO NATIONAL CHAMPIO, always striving to be as good as he can be. How hard he works is the standard by which we compare others who compete here.” Coach Mike Clark states, “Tim is a wonderful person. worker in three sports but still manages to get in his 45-minute BFS workouts. Tim Benches 400 and Power Cleans nearly 300 pounds.” He will attend Scottsdale Community College while working to improve his academics. “Tim is straight to the pros after junior college,” Coach Clark speculated.

Tim Benches 400 and Power Cleans nearly 300! is that when Tim was in grade school he was bigger than the other wrestling and track throwing the Discus 179 feet and the shot 53 feet.

Winer beamed, “I had a grin that could eat a banana sideways. I’ve said all along that he was something makes him better than the best.

“He is a God-blessed athlete. pins in 17 minutes.

That didn’t help him. I guess they didn’t want kids his age intimidated the long run.” six of his matches to win the national heavyweight championship. He kids. They moved him up a grade once just based on his physical size.

Tim prefers to look at the bright side. “If I'd have been able to go to a four-year school, I'd probably have been red-shirted anyway. This way I can keep playing.” After Scottsdale, Tim would like to play football and wrestle at Arizona State and then possibly play pro football. He’s planning on majoring in law but one more vision pops up frequently. What about the olympics?

“Well, maybe not next year but possibly the next Olympics after Atlanta.” Tim is now “Riding the High Places” with Upper Limit dreams and visions. That is how life is supto learn how quickly things can change in a careless moment with a good kid making a wrong choice.

We thank Tim for sharing his experience and wish him well on his Quest For Greatness............

Tim is doing Parallel Squat reps with 405!

From BFS Magazine — Fall 1995. Part of the BFS Magazine Archive (1980–2014).