Sam Bradford: I want to thank my coaches, my family; all my friends who were helping me go through this process and make this decision. I want to thank everyone who was there to help me make this decision. After looking at al the information and obviously weighing the pros and cons of both opportunities that I have, I feel it is in my best interest to come back to the University of Oklahoma for my junior season.
I’ve dreamed about playing at Oklahoma since I was little. My three years here have been three of the best years of my life. I really feel that there is no need to cut this experience short. I’m really looking forward to coming back and competing for a fourth straight Big 12 Championship and another opportunity for a National Championship.
James Hale: Sam, can you put into words how difficult this decision has been for you? Did you go back and fourth a lot?
SB: I did go back and fourth. I really didn’t think about it very much before the championship game so there was a lot of information to comprehend, especially in a short amount of time. There were a lot of things that I thought about and I did go back and fourth several times. But, I feel that this is where my heart is and this is where I want to be.
Media: What was the turning point? Was there something that tipped the scales for you?
SB: Just thinking back over the past three years and looking back over everything that I’ve been through here in Norman and knowing that I have an opportunity to spend another year here. I just think knowing that if I left I would be leaving a lot of team mates and a lot of guys that I’ve become really close to. So the ability to spend another year with them is really what I want to come back for.
Media: Was there anything to commissioner Goodell’s decision when he said the rookie money would still be there all the way to the 2011 season. Did that give you another option in your decision to stay at Oklahoma?
SB: I don’t know if that gave me another reason to stay at Oklahoma, but obviously that was factored into my decision.
Media: Could you address the uncertainty about being the number one draft at the end of January and then maybe slipping when draft time comes around.
SB: Sure. Obviously nothing is for certain. Everything you hear today is just speculation. Nothing is positive and nothing is guaranteed. There’s a big difference from what you hear right now to what is actually done on draft day in April.
Media: What was said between you and your other team mates that were considering leaving early? Did you discuss the situation with them?
SB: I don’t know if you need to know exactly what was exchanged. But obviously, I was in touch with my team mates. Obviously, all the guys that were thinking about leaving early, we came in together and we’ve kind of gone through everything together, So, we did talk to each other and let each other know how we were feeling.
Media: How much did not winning the National Title this year play into your decision?
SB: Obviously it’s frustrating to end on a loss. And I certainly want to come back and finish my career the right way. So, I would say it has some influence in my decision. But, I really tried to keep that out of my mind as best I could.
Media: When did you finally make your decision?
SB: Last night.
Media: How difficult was it? It’s a win-win situation either way.
SB: Obviously, I think if I had made either choice it would have been the right decision for me. But, I do feel I made the right decision in coming back.
Media: Was there a point in the draft where you would say that you had to go? That it would over ride your decision.
SB: No, to be honest.
Media: So if you would have gone as the third pick, you think you still would have come back?
SB: Most likely, yes.
Media: What do you like best about being a college football player?
SB: Everything. I mean, you get to come out here and play in front of 85-thousand people. This state is a football state. Everyone knows about Oklahoma Football. I’ve grown up watching it. So, it’s just having this experience and being able to live my dream.
James Hale: You guys graduate some players on offense, but you must be pretty confident that you guys are going to be pretty good next season.
SB: Yea, I’m very confident in the people we have returning. And obviously with Jermaine and Trent coming back, I don’t know if you guys knew that or not, but they are coming back. Sorry Coach. But with those guys coming back I feel like we’re going to be very solid on offense again. I think that’s one of the strong points of this program is that we’re able to replace players every year. We lost Malcom Kelly last year and every one wondered who we would fill in the wide receiver position.
Media: Were you guys trying to recruit each other. Were you waiting to see what the other guys was going to do? How did that work?
SB: Obviously, I don’t think we were trying to recruit each other because we all wanted each other to make the decision that was best for everyone. I feel like we were just sharing information, such as: What have you heard? Who’s talked to you? How’s it been presented to you?
Media: Have you given any thought about staying for your senior year?
SB: No, we’ll have to wait and see what happens.
Media: Did you discuss anything with other upper classmen around the country?
SB: No.
