Native Americans Proud of Bradford's Heisman: "Since Sam Bradford won the Heisman Trophy, the most prestigious individual honor in college football, earlier this month, Native Americans have been basking in the glow.
They see the talented quarterback, a registered Cherokee and finance major with a 3.95 GPA, as a significant role model for aspiring young athletes who share his heritage.
Bradford, who is from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, is a sophomore quarterback at the University of Oklahoma and only the second sophomore ever to win the trophy that goes to the Most Outstanding College Football Player in the United States.
"Having an intelligent, well-spoken, poised Cherokee citizen play quarterback for the Sooners means a lot to Cherokee people all over the country, not just the ones here in Oklahoma," says Chad Smith, the principal chief of the Cherokee Nation. "It means that people see a different image of Cherokees than the ones they may have had before, but it's also a reflection to our community of the success we can achieve for ourselves and our families, our children and grandchildren."
