The house of Sam Bradford has many windows, but only three or four doors.
That's how it looks for those of us who only get as close as watching from the street.
One door is loyalty. Another, competitiveness. A third, talent. And a fourth door is money.
Let's expend some dollars and sense behind Door #4.
"I've said this many times," Bradford said yesterday when speaking about his decision to have a shoulder surgery which, barring an unforseen setback, will end his OU career and send him spiraling into the NFL a year late in the eyes of those who thought he should have taken the millions by now, "Some people think money is everything. But to me, money is not everything."
"To look at these guys (signaling teammates who had left practice to come stand behind Bradford) and look at the friendships that I've built and the experience that I've had here, not many people can say that. I wouldn't trade any of it for money."
His words are worth repeating.
"To me, money is not everything."
"I wouldn't trade any of it (my time at Oklahoma, including this injury-plagued season) for money."
He was speaking, of course, to his critics. He was standing up for his decision to bypass a multi-million dollar payday in the NFL to return to Oklahoma for his junior season. His season now sidelined for good by injury, Bradford let it be known that he has a character trait of not being dependent on what others think nor on how they respond.
Beyond that character trait, I want to consider Sam Bradford and his view of money. I need to state up front that I've never met him and that even if I had, I wouldn't pretend to know him unless he shared some of his innermost self with me. Therefore, I'm going to make three assumptions and draw three conclusions that are based on watching and listening to him no more closely than the average fan.
Assumption 1
Though Bradford is young, he isn't afraid to be an open follower of Jesus. When it comes to his public persona, he is unabashedly Christian. Consequently, my first assumption is that Bradford is led by three fundamental New Testament teachings about money.
One, that he is not to store up treasures here on earth. Said another way, there is no place for savings accounts for extravagant pursuits. (Jesus' disciples, with Jesus among them, managed a savings account--called a "purse"--for their needs. Any income that was left over after their basic needs was given to "the least of these.")
Two, that the power of money is constantly begging Bradford to put his heart resources into the earning of money. Said another way, he probably knows that the love of money can really get him distorted and placing his priorities in all sorts of wrong places.
Third, that money is made in order to be given away after it is used to meet his needs (not his wants and not his lust for luxury, if he has such lust.)
Conclusion 1
Bradford is not enslaved to money or to an incessant accumulation of it. He has not invested his life in the god of money or, worse, the god of consumerism ("more, more, give me more because I can never have enough.")
If Bradford ever has a garage of luxury cars, I'll be shocked. If he doesn't give his future money away to a hurting world, I'll be even more shocked.
Assumption 2
Bradford comes from at least a middle-class family (Mom, a school teacher, Dad, an insurance businessman). Moreover, he has a marketable talent that will pay him handsomely and an insurance policy that will also pay off if his talent gets injured. My assumption, therefore, is that Bradford enjoys a financial peace of mind that millions of Americans and billions of human beings never experience. Said another way, Bradford's money isn't running low and it probably never will as long as he uses it wisely.
Conclusion 2
If Bradford becomes ultra rich, he won't be lost. The dynamic of soaring wealth and shrinking spirit has been called “the American paradox.” We have big houses and broken homes. We have high incomes and low morale. We have increased rights and diminished civility. We excel at making a living but often fail at making a life. Bradford has the imagination and humility to not trade his soul for money or the love of it.
Assumption 3
Bradford is a role model and very much knows it. Therefore, he knows that his decision to turn away from millions of dollars in favor of turning toward his team, his university, and his college experience is counter cultural. It goes against the American ethic of going for the big payday and selling out for the almighty dollar.
Conclusion 3
Bradford decided, in his heart of hearts, that friendships, that being part of something larger than himself, and that finishing a job unfinished are three ways he's going to define a successful life for himself. Amidst a culture of competitive money-making, Bradford penetrated that culture with a different ethic. He took a step back, looked at what was most important to him, and made a decision many called "crazy." He had the confidence to be a different kind of leader, and will take that leadership, once he becomes affluent, into his use of money.
Comments
Dad, this was, admittedly, one of the first articles I've read of yours in a while. But I loved it. Expect more page hits. I love you. Oh, and this is brilliant: "We have big houses and broken homes. We have high incomes and low morale. We have increased rights and diminished civility. We excel at making a living but often fail at making a life."
Bryan, I will be brief.... THANK YOU and thank you Sam for showing the best of Humanity and Christ Followers....
AHEM!!!
You've out done yourself, Bryan, a great read. BRAVO!
Bryan, OMG! You did such an awesome job on this article.
Interesting that you would call Sam "a different cat".... Sam is the real deal! I can only hope that my son will grow up to have half the integrity and true love of Christ that Sam has! He is a wonderful role model for young men everywhere! He will be one that will hear "Well done my good and faithful servant"! Good article! Money isn't everything!
What a great article you wrote about Sam. I loved it.
Loved it Bryan. I commend you for writing on a subject that no other writer will touch, Sam Bradford and his beliefs. I really enjoyed it, even having to look at myself and the choices that I make daily. Thank you.
Bradford just wants to play in the NFL just like most football players. Wheather your in high school playing football or in college; I bet 90 if not 100 percent of football players want to go pro. Sam knows if he comes back next season and gets hurt there just might not be a NFL that wants him. Who wants a football player that gets hurt all the time? He is just being smart God has no part in this decision and money doesn't either. He just loves the game but he will be a good role model. I hope the Vikings pick him up...
good job Bryan...I love Sam's faith first persona...he enbodies the saying, look into me, do you see man or do you see Christ!
Bryan, I could not be prouder of you than I am now having read your latest piece. It was truly outstanding. So insightful re what drives -- and ails -- so many of us. Dad
Great Article!!
Well said! I think we also need to give recognition to his parents. They instilled in him what is important in life. Kudos Mr. and Mrs. Bradford!
God Bless you & Sam for standing up for your Christian values! Our world would be a much better place if more of us were like you!!!
Rachel and Dad,
Glad I could finally bribe you enough to comment.
Other commenters,
Thanks for the kind words.
Smith,
Just a cursory glance at Bradford tells me that God and money had something to do with his decision after last season NOT to turn pro and his decision this year TO go that route. As for Bradford going to the Vikings, that's a possibility that lots of OU fans would love.
Teresa,
Standing "behind" every person of character are role models who helped shape that person. There seems to be consensus belief that Bradford's parents are top notch people who taught him well and, at a point in his life, let him make his own decisions even when they might not have made the same decision themselves.
Bryan I loved the article on Sam. I hope you don't mind that I posted it this morning on my site. You did a great job. Congrats. Wish more young men were like Sam, don't you? At that age he shows a lot of maturity. Being a Christian is his biggest attraction and it will make others think about how you can be great at something and still have a relationship with God. Thanks again for a great article.
Loved the article about Bradford. He is one-of-a-kind. Money isn't everything; but Character is worth so much more! There is a you-tube about Bradford that said I am Second - and he truly shows us that in everything he does. I am excited about what the future has in store for him. Thanks for your work in the articles. :-)
Bravo Bryan ~ incredibly well written article. Keep putting out this quality of writing and work. It fits you well.
Bravo! What a great article! May we all follow the example Sam has set for us, and store our treasures in heaven where neither moth nor dust doth corrupt.
The program has evolved in an amazing way.
From the late '80's Charles Thompson in his jailhouse orange suit to Sam Bradford.
Schools like Miami and USC can't make that kind of character change.
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