Those who know him best describe Jason Crebo as a gentle giant. Those who watched him play for Montana remember the Helena native as one of the fiercest defensive players the school has ever produced.

In 1994, Crebo took over Montana’s famed No. 37 jersey, following in the footsteps of Kraig Paulson, Tim Hauck and Todd Ericson. In 1995, Crebo broke into Montana’s starting lineup at outside linebacker and started etching one of the great careers in the school’s history. He earned first-team All-Big Sky and All-American honors for the first of what would become three straight such accolades. And he helped anchor a fearsome Griz linebacker core that helped the Griz surge to their first football national championship in school history.