During his fight with Santos “Canelo” Álvarez Barragán, which took place on Mexican Independence Day weekend Sept. 13, Bryan graduate Terrance “Bud” Crawford paid tribute to the Raza (Hispanic) community. He walked to the song Canción Del Mariachi, famously featured in the movie Desperado. The performance was by a group of local musicians led by Crawford’s childhood best friend Rosendo Robles. Crawford’s walkout was inspired by the movies Desperado, El Mariachi and Once Upon a Time in Mexico. He carried a guitar case, which plays a significant role in those movies. Crawford represented Nebraska in Las Vegas, in an international ring, wearing “Omaha” on his shorts, showing that talent can come from anywhere.
Crawford’s success inspires students from his old high school today.
“I would like to think that Bryan students feel great pride that they’re able to say, ‘Bud came from my high school,'” said Principal Anthony Clark-Kaczmareck, who taught Crawford in stagecraft.
Crawford’s legacy was propelled by community support after graduating with the class of 2007. Crawford attended his senior year after bouncing around other schools within the district.
“Bryan gave him a different outlook on things,” said teacher and Crawford’s childhood friend Galen Gullie. “I think that made a big impact on him as far as personality. He knows how to communicate with various people.”
School gave Crawford a place where he could be calm and supported, no matter what he was going through.
“[It] gave Bud a place where he could be in high school and not have people testing him all the time,” said special education and Crawford’s physical education teacher Jared Andersen.
The faculty and staff closest to Crawford had a feeling he would be successful in life.
“I just remember [principal] Dave Collins being so supportive of Bud and wanting to champion him and cheer him on,” Clark-Kaczmarek said.
Faculty and staff showed their support for Crawford in his fight against Canelo, some going so far as to see him in-person. Galen and his wife, resource teacher Brytnney, who received tickets from Crawford himself.
“Out of those 70,000 or 75,000 fans, I would say 71,000 were Canelo fans,” Galen said. “There was a sprinkle of people in Nebraska wearing red and Crawford stuff, screaming and yelling Crawford, and I was one of them.”
Despite Crawford’s success, he remains respectful. Crawford is rarely seen with security.
“He raises his kids to be high-character, humble people,” Galen said. “He acts like anything could be taken away from you at any point in time. So, he does not take his family and where he comes from for granted.”
Omaha looks to Crawford for inspiration as he helps anyone who has dedication to reach their dreams.
“A lot of people don’t really think Bud is good for people, but I think Bud is great for Omaha,” said security guard Virgil Caldwell who would escort Crawford to and from class, as well as SSC.
A lot of times students forget to believe in themselves, and they will let someone else tell their story. Bud doesn’t allow for that.
“He believes in himself, and I think that a lot of students could learn from that,” Clark-Kaczmarek said. “I think if we have self-worth and we are strong in our desire for the thing we want, we continue to go [it].”
