Bradford Is the Best

Oklahoma quarterback wins college football's highest individual honor

• PRINT
• EMAIL

Twenty-one-year-old Sam Bradford has a lot to celebrate.

The Oklahoma Sooners quarterback is the leading college passer in the nation with 48 touchdowns and 6 interceptions. He led his team to a spot in the national championship game and helped the Sooners score the most points of any college football team in a single season.

And he is only a college sophomore.

On Saturday, Bradford capped off his amazing season by winning the Heisman Trophy. Winning the Heisman means Bradford is now officially recognized as the most outstanding college football player in the United States for 2008.

The 6'4", 218-pound passing dynamo was jubilant when his name was called during the nationally televised ESPN sports special. Bradford bear-hugged his parents and his coach before taking the podium to accept the award.

During his acceptance speech, the quarterback gave credit to his team for his accomplishment. "This is an individual award but I feel like I'm receiving it on behalf of my teammates," Bradford said. "I feel like our whole offense bails me out every game. They make me look good."

Bradford had some stiff competition for this year's Heisman Trophy.

Texas Longhorns' quarterback Colt McCoy finished second in the Heisman voting. McCoy had 32 touchdowns and seven interceptions at the end of the season.

Oklahoma football player Sam Bradford holds the Heisman Trophy after he was presented the award at a ceremony Saturday, December 13, 1008 in New York. (Photo: ©Kelly Kline/AP Images)

He was disappointed but upbeat. "It's tough," McCoy told ESPN. "You set your sights high and want to win that trophy. But I'm excited about the opportunity to come back [next season]."

Florida Gators' phenom quarterback Tim Tebow, who was last year's Heisman winner, finished third. He racked up 28 touchdowns and just two interceptions this year."I want to win in everything I do," Tebow told ESPN. "Obviously, I wanted to win [a second time.]"

Tebow and Bradford will face off one more time this season: in the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) National Championship game. The top-ranked Gators will battle the second-ranked Sooners on January 8, 2009, in Miami.

"We're ready to get back to work to get ready for the 8th," Bradford said. "When we started this season, winning the national championship was the first goal we put down as a team."

For more on Sam Bradford, check out www.soonersports.com. And for more on the upcoming college football bowl season, check out ESPN.com.

TELL US WHAT YOU THINK

Read today’s story and answer the following question.

What is your favorite college football team? What bowl games will you watch this year? Tell us what you think on the Scholastic News Online Blog!

MORE NEWS FOR KIDS

Get the latest on national and international events, movies, television, music, sports, and more from Scholastic News Online.

Coach of the Month
Scholastic's Coach of the Month is Head Football Coach Sean Driscoll of Winthrop High School, Winthrop, Massachusetts

The 4-3 as a H.S. Defense
The 4-3 defense has enjoyed a resurgence at every level of football since the late 1980s.