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Honored invitation
Bradford joins Tebow, McCoy as Heisman finalists

Sam Bradford

 
By JOHN E. HOOVER World Sports Writer
Published: 12/11/2008  2:41 AM
Last Modified: 12/11/2008  2:59 AM

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — There, but for 30 years and a couple of really big afros, stood Charles White and Billy Sims.

Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford and Florida quarterback Tim Tebow shook hands, smiled, posed for pictures, slapped each other on the back and, later, even sat side by side discussing for television cameras their philosophies on life's various topics.

But that one brief passing moment Wednesday in a small, corner ballroom at Disney's Boardwalk Convention Center, when Bradford and Tebow were each asked to place a hand on a football and playfully act as if they were wresting it away from each other, it became the 1979 Sports Illustrated cover all over again, with USC's White and OU's Sims gripping the Heisman Trophy under a headline that screamed, "Hey man! That's my Heisman!"

Sims had won the award in 1978. Despite a late push from Sims, White won it in '79.

Just minutes before the photo shoot, Bradford, Tebow and Texas quarterback Colt McCoy were announced as Heisman finalists. All three are in Orlando for the ESPNU College Football Awards Show — Bradford and McCoy are finalists for the O'Brien Award, McCoy and Tebow are finalists for the Maxwell Award — but the really big prize awaits Saturday in New York.

"That means a lot just to be invited to New York," Bradford said. "Especially with Tim and Colt, who are just two phenomenal players. For my name to even be included with those guys, it's something that really is an honor."

McCoy came into the room with a bit of a glow in his youthful face before sharing a few minutes alone with Bradford.

"I just now figured out that I have the opportunity to go up there," McCoy said just minutes after learning on ESPN's "SportsCenter" that he was officially a finalist. "It's pretty awesome that two Big 12 quarterbacks are going up there. Playing in the Big 12, you go into each game knowing you've got to score a lot of points because each quarterback is solid."

Tebow said he was more relaxed this year than he was last December.

"Just experiencing a lot of things, I'm not as anxious and I'm just enjoying it and I'm thankful for the opportunity," he said. "I'm just enjoying the opportunity and the privilege of the Heisman and everything that means."

Texas Tech quarterback Graham Harrell, who was second in the nation in passing yards and total offense, wasn't invited to New York. The decision drew the ire of Tech coach Mike Leach.

"If Graham is not invited to the Heisman, they ought to quit giving out the award," Leach said. "It is a shameless example of politics ruling over performance. The other guys are deserving, but he has earned a place alongside them."

Tebow and Bradford square off Jan. 8 in the Bowl Championship Series national championship game. Of the 27 quarterbacks to win the Heisman, just seven also won the national title. In the decades since three Notre Dame QBs won both in the 1940s and '60s, only USC's Matt Leinart, Florida's Danny Wuerffel and Florida State's Charlie Ward have managed the feat.

Bradford may be the odds-on favorite. A Tulsa World nationwide straw poll showed Bradford in front.

Tebow, though, shouldn't be counted out. The quarterback in a fullback's body last year became the first sophomore to win the trophy; now he'd like to become just the second two-time winner, joining Ohio State's Archie Griffin (1974-75). Tebow's recent clutch play in high-profile wins over Florida State and Alabama may have been enough to move him past Bradford, whose huge numbers against Top 25 opponents Texas Tech, Oklahoma State and Missouri could be the difference.

"Tim's been there. I like the way he leads his team," McCoy said. "If I had a vote, I'd probably vote for Tim."

Tebow, as a former winner, does have a vote, but he's not telling. Neither, it seems, is Bradford.

"I'm just glad to be here," he said. "I'm just going to have as much fun as I can on this trip. I'm not worried about it or anything, because there's nothing I can do now that's going to change the way these awards come out. I've played football now the past couple of weeks, so there's really nothing to be nervous about."




John E. Hoover 581-8384
john.hoover@tulsaworld.com
By JOHN E. HOOVER World Sports Writer

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COMMENTS 
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9 comments have been made for this team so far. Tell us what you think below!

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Report Comment
billsmith, (12/11/2008 8:27:41 AM)
Colt McCoy said, "If I had a vote, I'd vote for Tim."
Spoken like a true Mac Brown player.
Report Comment
DrG, tulsa (12/11/2008 9:27:37 AM)
All three are deserving of the award. If I had a vote I would give it to McCoy by an eyelash for his ability to pass (a record 78% completion rate) and leading his team in rushing. I think Sam is equally deserving (better total passing yards and td stats) but has more weapons around him.
Report Comment
love 918, (12/11/2008 9:34:44 AM)
Tebow is a perfect fit for the high-powered Florida offense. But is he really the best player in college? He shouldn't have won it last year, and Bradford and McCoy are both more deserving this year.
Report Comment
Arbythree, Tulsa (12/11/2008 9:47:05 AM)
Be careful carrying the Heisman back home Sam. You just had surgery and we need you healthy for the big game!!

BOOMER SOONER!!
Report Comment
Oatmeal, Cheyenne (12/11/2008 10:14:25 AM)
Even though I am a died in the wool OU fan, I have a tendency to sympathize with Leach on Harrell not at least being invited to NYC. Except for losing to OU they had a perfect season and for some odd reason are getting no respect, even though they beat the whiners from Austin. Except for our BCS ranking OU could also be in the same situation. We had best be careful in 09' as Leach and company will come back with a lot to prove and once again we will have to play on their turf. Sam, Tebow, and McCoy are all deserving of the award but Graham Harrell at least deserved recognition for his and his team's accomplishments. Let's hope that Sam walks away with the award as he is a class act and has represented OU well, but he had better buy his O line, Kevin Wilson, and Josh Heupel several good meals between now and January 8th! If he does win, then lets hope also he and his team can remain focused for January 8th as this old man and alot of others are tired of losing the big ones and this is a chance at redemption. Beat Florida!!!
Report Comment
WOLFMAN, (12/11/2008 1:29:32 PM)
I SEE THE REASONING ON MOST ARGUMENTS..I AGREE WITH LEACH ,,,HE ISN'T JUST PROMOTING HIS KID,,HARREL EARNED THE TRIP AT LEAST.IT'S A SHAME..I FEEL SAM BRADFORD IS THE RIGHT CHOICE BECAUSE OF HIS OVER ALL CONSISTANCE PLAY AND LEADERSHIP..HE ACTUALLY EVEN DISTANCED HIM SELF FROM COLT IN THE HEAD TO HEAD BATTLE WITH TEXAS. IN EVERY GAME THERE IS A CRITICAL EVENT THAT CHANGES A BALL GAME. LOSING THE MLB SUNK OU BUT THAT IS FOOTBALL ...ONE OTHER THING..I GET A LITTLE TIRED OF THIS IDEA THAT BRADFORD CAN'T RUN ..HE WILL AND DOES WHEN IT IS CRITICAL TO WIN A GAME ..THE ONE IN THE OSU GAME STANDS OUT ..IF IT WERE NOT FOR HIS CREATING THE PLAY WHERE HE WAS UPENDED AT THE GOAL LINE..OU MAY NOT HAVE WON THAT GAME.
SO PLEASE DON'T SELL HIM SHORT OF BEING A COMPLETE PACKAGE. ALL OF THESE KIDS SEEM TO BE GREAT ATHLETES ON AND JUST AS IMPORTANT,"OFF" THE FIELD...HOWEVER, MY VOTE IS FOR BRADFORD..I LOOK FORWARD TO FOLLOWING THEIR CAREERS,AS AN EX-COACH ,EX-TEACHER ,EX-OFFICIAL AND A FAN FROM THE DAY BILLY VESSELS WON MANY YEARS AGO..AT MY AGE ..DON'T KNOW IF MY HEART CAN STAND TOO MUCH MORE EXCITEMENT .. GOOD LUCK TO ALL OF THEM
Report Comment
pat, Kiefer (12/11/2008 2:18:07 PM)
Thank you for yelling Wolfman.

Boomer Sooner!
Report Comment
KJL, Sallisaw (12/12/2008 1:15:35 AM)
Harrell got jobbed. The Heisman is a nice honor and all, but its just not what it used to be. I'd vote for McCoy slightly over Bradford since he did win the game.
Report Comment
Steff M, Claremore (12/12/2008 2:14:54 AM)
KJL. I'll drop your moniker for now. Harrell did get jobbed no doubt. If Tech beat OU and he'd had a decent game, more than likely the Baylor game would have been a different story. Then he would have gone on to light Mizzwho up like everyone else and they would've given him the trophy right then and there. Like they were ready to do with Daniel after what, week 5? Now not even an invite? Who are these people? As far as Bradford/McCoy it's about who the best player not which player's team beat some other players team. Besides if Reynolds doesn't get hurt, the replay guys are awake and the officials aren't PF happy morons, OU wins. But as I said that doesn't really matter. Bradford is just better at that position, hands down. I'm sure McCoy will get it though on the sympathy vote.
 

 
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