#20 - Things Aren't Always As They Seem

Sam Bradford picking up his plunder in NYC 12/08 Rhett Bomar - Former OU savior QB

When One Door Closes, Another One Opens. Sometimes what we percieve to be setbacks turn into other opportunities that wouldn't have otherwise materialized. I'm a big sports fan and like most areas in life, there's always a litany of inspiration there to see if you look close enough. The above sentiment came to me when I saw the University of Oklahoma QB Sam Bradford win the Heisman Trophy this past December in New York City. Bradford was a life-long Sooner fan who grew up dreaming of the feats he's gone on to accomplish back when he was a youngster growing up in Oklahoma City. Still, he needed some breaks to go his way to be the Big-Man-On-Campus, as starting QB for the ol' Cream and White, you know, aside from all the hard work, determination and preparation. They do say good luck is when ability and preparation meet opportunity. Sam Bradford has both in spades.

When Bradford showed up on campus in the fall of 2006, Oklahoma was reeling in the wake of young stud sophomore QB Rhett Bomar being kicked off the team (as well as an offensive lineman) for accepting illegal compensation from an Oklahoma car deal (an OU booster of ill-repute) for summer work they never performed. While red-shirted as a freshman, Bradford, and fellow freshman Keith Nichol (from Lowell, MI) were never seriously considered to start (that job went to senior Paul Thompson). Still, that OU squad had uber-talented RB Adrian Peterson to fall back on, and managed to still win the Big 12 and go to a BCS Bowl game, despite starting a shaky 3-2 (featuring a controversial loss to the Oregon Ducks that most OU fans still shake their heads about). Bradford, not nearly as heralded as classmate Nichol, sat patiently, learned and waited for his chance to compete.

The following spring Bradford, to the surprise of most followers of the program, won the starting job as a red-shirt freshman. While he wasn't asked to do too much early, he played well, flashing the maturity and pocket presence of a far more seasoned player and improved steadily as the season progressed. He even helped OU win the Big 12 title again and back to another BCS Bowl game. By seasons end Coach Bob Stoops was allowing Bradford to make plays and showcase his immense skills.

Flash forward to this year. Nichol, seeing that barring an injury he be relegated to career back-up status if he stayed at Oklahoma, opted to transfer to Michigan State. With a talented case surrounding him, Bradford took his performance to the next level, breaking all kinds of Sooner scoring records on the way to winning the Heisman Trophy as a redshirt sophomore. Even more importantly, the team found itself in the BCS-title game, playing for the mythical National Championship against the Florida Gators. He's also going to return for the 2009 season to lead the Sooners, yet again, and he along with Tim Tebow will have a chance to join Ohio State's Archie Griffin as the only 2-time Heisman Trophy winners in the history of college football!

Definitely in this case, alls well that ends well. If Rhett Bomar never takes that summer job in 2006, or doesn't get caught, this story probably never happens, as Bradford probably wouldn't have had a chance to start until this season, if ever. While many took Bomar's dismissal from the team to be a negative at the time, it has turned out to be the ultimate blessing for all in Sooner Nation. Well, maybe for all but Rhett Bomar.