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Cherokee Nation honors Sam Bradford

Posted on April 28, 2009

cherokee nation – Five Minutes with Sam Bradford

During his visit to the Cherokee Nation and Sequoyah Schools, the Cherokee Phoenix sat down with Sam Bradford. Here are excerpts from that interview:

Q: Why are you visiting the Cherokee Nation today?
A: “Kind of like I said earlier, I know that I have Cherokee ties in my family. I’m Cherokee and I really want to learn more about it, and just learn more about the culture. I thought coming up here and visiting today would be a great way for me to learn more about it.”

Q: Sometimes being a role model is thrust upon you whether you want it or not, how do you handle that responsibility?
A: “I’ve learned more about that in the past couple of years than I ever thought I would in my entire life. I think being a good role model to kids for me is continuing to be who I am and just continuing to be humble and set a good example, and just try to lead by example.”

Q: Amid all the popularity that follows you, how do you keep yourself grounded?
A: “I’ve really got to give credit to my family and my friends for that. Something my parents have always taught me is surrounding myself with good people. I’ve really tried to do that. My friends are such a great group of guys. They really keep me down to earth, whether I come back from winning a game or losing a game, or winning an award. They could care less – I’m still Sam to them.”

Q: How has winning the Heisman trophy changed your life?
A: “You know after I won it a lot of the previous winners told me it changes your life forever. Obviously my life has changed, I would say one of the biggest changes I’ve noticed is I’m a lot more recognizable. When I go out to dinner or to pick something up, it seems like a lot more people recognize me.”

Q: You said you know you can get better this year, in what way?
A: “There’s so many small details about playing quarterback that people in the stands don’t see. One thing I definitely want to get better at is defensive recognition. That’s something I’ve put a lot of time into this offseason.”

Q: Some have compared being the Sooners quarterback is like being a rock star, what has the experience been like for you?
A: “I would say that’s very far fetched. I’m just a normal college kid who happens to play football. I’ve wanted to play at OU since I was little. Just to get to be a part of the team and get to play out there in front of 85,000 people in Norman has been one of the best experiences of my life.”

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford’s April 17 visit to Sequoyah Schools was a return-to-roots visit for the University of Oklahoma Sooners quarterback. He was invited by Principal Chief Chad Smith to be honored for his accomplishments.

Bradford spent much of the day meeting Sequoyah students and learning more about Cherokee culture while visiting the Cherokee Heritage Center. He even played a little stickball before heading to Sequoyah’s The Place Where They Play to address hundreds of gathered fans.

CN employee Charlie Shell opened the Sequoyah event with a prayer in the Cherokee language. The Talking Leaves Job Corps Color Guard then led Bradford, his mom and dad, Smith and an entourage of delegates from seven other tribes to their seats.

Following the national anthem, master of ceremonies Jay Hannah delivered a speech listing Bradford’s many accomplishments in and out of the classroom.

Smith, Bradford and his father, Kent, then took the stage for a question-and-answer session in which the 21-year-old told the audience of a typical day for him during the season.

“I wake up about 6:15 (a.m.) or 6:30, go workout for 45 minutes to an hour, go get breakfast,” he said. “During game weeks, we usually have meetings with our position coach, coach (Josh) Heupel. We go watch film for maybe 45 minutes before class.

a uwodu iga in the cherokee nation, anle indian country. wa’do wesley anle Christina for the great coverage you did on this huge story.and on the comment that we need more role models we don’t need role models we need decent human beings who are proud of their heritage culture language and tradtions that do the very best that they can to make their nations stronger. that’s what’s really important.

Cherokee Nation to host traditional native games series

TAHLEQUAH — The Cherokee Nation will host a series of traditional native games throughout the spring and summer in several area communities.

The preliminary games will be held at five locations throughout the tribe’s jurisdictional area. Participants will have the opportunity to compete against one another in Cherokee marbles, horseshoes, blowgun, corn stalk shoot, stickball and hatchet throwing. The top winners from each event will receive a T-shirt and an invitation to compete in the community play-off games on Sept. 6 at the Cherokee National Holiday.

The community games will be held on the following dates and locations:

Saturday, Colcord at Colcord School.

• May 23, Kenwood at Kenwood School.

• June 20, Claremore at Will Rogers Downs.

• July 11, Sallisaw at Sallisaw City Park located off of U.S. 64.

• Aug. 1, Bell at the Bell Powwow.

• Sept. 6, finals held in Tahlequah during Cherokee National Holiday.

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