Sam Bradford

Many football fans were delightfully surprised when the likely #1 NFL draft pick, Sam Bradford, decided to put professional football on hold to return for another season. We soon realized that standout teammates Jermaine Gresham, Gerald McCoy and Trent Williams had made the same decision. The prospect of a NCAA Championship was clearly more enticing to these Sooners than the millions that could be attained. At that time, I wondered what choice I would have advised my son to take if he were faced with a similar decision. I suppose that when a person begins to make millions doesn’t really matter, but a National Championship is a very elusive opportunity that would be very difficult to pass up. Would it have been worth it? – in this case, we will never know.

Sam Bradford’s national title hopes for this season have been dashed. Most experts believe he will not play again this season. So now, the young QB faces the same decision as last year, but for totally different reasons. To play college football or not to play college football, that is the question. Now we find Sam weighing the possibility of not even going in the first round of the 2010 draft. On the other hand, he could come back for one final collegiate season to try and reestablish the professional value he had attained only 10 months ago. Well, I will offer some unsolicited advice –

Sam, go pro. Playing another year with OK may go well and get you back to the top. But playing a great first year in the NFL, regardless of where you are drafted, will attain you the same or even greater value for future NFL contracts. Further, the potential of another injury during your senior season could end your NFL hopes and dreams whereas an injury in the NFL still gains the tremendous benefits of your contract term. Regardless of your decision, we wish only the best for you and look forward to watching you play again – wherever that may be.