OU's Bradford once wanted to play hockey

All Sam Bradford wanted for Christmas was a pair of ice skates.

He was 5. And a hunger for hockey was about to overtake him.

And Bradford, the kid who eventually showed so much promise on the ice that former NHL standout Mike McEwen once tried to talk him into ditching all his "other” sports, hatched big ideas.

"Sam really thought we should pack up our bags and move to Vancouver,” said Martha Bradford, Sam's mom. "He really wanted to play ice hockey for the Vancouver Canucks.”

These days, Sam Bradford dares to dream big still. Except, this time his dream isn't farfetched or aimed at some far-away land, but dangling right there within his reach … Oklahoma quarterback.

Son of a Sooner, Sam Bradford sampled all sorts of sports and more as a youth rising through the Oklahoma City sports scene.

Now, however, Bradford has tightened his focus on football, really, for the first extended time in his life.

And as the OU kingdom awaits perhaps the missing piece — capable quarterback — to a possible 2007 title team, might the impact of Bradford's devotion to one sport spur him to the front of a three-man competition to lead the Sooners?

We'll see soon enough, when in 12 days Bradford resumes a battle with Keith Nichol and Joey Halzle for the OU quarterback job.

One focus, one sport

Bob Wilson, the football coach at Putnam North High School, recognizes the differences in Sam Bradford now from his days as a three-sport star as a Panther.

"Sam's put on about 15 pounds, up to about 215,” Wilson said. "And it looks like 15 pounds of solid muscle that's in the right places.

"And you can tell in his face he's matured.”

Wilson, too, is curious what differences might appear now that his former pupil is a full-time football player, even if it's been little more than 12 months since Bradford graduated high school.

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