Bradford the messiah?

Oklahoma's Sam Bradford is inspiration to a nation

Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford's Cherokee heritage stirs hope, pride throughout Native American community"I was speaking in New Town, North Dakota, recently, and I met this Native American family of five," said Chance Rush, an Oklahoma-based activist who speaks on a Voice of Virtue tour. "They were all wearing Sam Bradford jerseys with his No. 14 on them. I travel a lot, and I'm getting requests from people all over the country, from as far away as Alaska, wanting me to bring them Sam Bradford jerseys."

Bradford is quickly becoming the Native American Hope.

Rush knows firsthand that's no overstatement. Native American youth leaders see almost a messianic quality in Bradford's emergence these past two years. They see in him so much more than the power to score touchdowns and win championships. They see in him the power to change lives through his own example.

That came through to Rush on his trip to North Dakota when tribal leaders there wondered if he had enough influence to woo Bradford north to address the substance-abuse problems plaguing their region. Bradford's reputation as an outstanding student with reports of a 3.95 GPA as a finance major meant almost as much to tribal leaders as Bradford's record-breaking statistics as a passer.

"They thought Sam could make a real difference speaking there," Rush said.Comment:  I'm glad tribal leaders recognize Bradford for his GPA. But do everyday Indians also make this distinction? Are any of them waving their report cards because they got A's like their hero?

So far I haven't heard Bradford say anything profound or inspirational. I wonder what he could say that would change the lives of youngsters. "You too can be like me if you were born with my family's genetics and environment. I hope my Heisman-winning arm will inspire you to develop your Heisman-winning arms also."

When I was growing up, I had millions of white role models to choose from, of course. But I tended to admire fictional characters such as Superman, Batman, Captain Kirk, and Mr. Spock. It never occurred to me to look up to athletes. That is, to think, "Wow, that Sandy Koufax is a great pitcher. That Jerry West is a great ballhandler. I sure wish I could be like them."

If I were a young Indian, I think I'd be more impressed with Ryan Red Corn's graphics business...Arigon Starr's albums and plays...or Douglas Miles's artistic skateboards. Most people can't aspire to be great athletes, but they can aspire to be great artists or entrepreneurs.

For more on the subject, see Basking in Bradford's Glow and Bradford Like Thorpe, Obama.

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