Heisman: OU's Sam Bradford says return to New York is like a dream
Talk of the town: Down to the wire in the Big Apple

By Jake Trotter Comments 3
Published: December 13, 2008

MANHATTAN, N.Y. — During spring break this year, Sam Bradford saw New York City for the first time, traveling with his mother, Martha.

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More Info

Trophy Presentation
→When: 7 tonight

→Where: Sports Museum of America, New York City

→TV: ESPN

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→Watch former OSU star Barry Sanders winning the Heisman while he was overseas in Japan.

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Eight months later, as a finalist for the 74th Heisman Trophy, Bradford is the talk of the same town.

"If you had told me that then, I would’ve said, ‘Get out of here. You’re lying,’ ” Bradford said. "To be back here is such an incredible honor.

"It’s like a dream.”

Tonight, Bradford and two other hopefuls — Texas quarterback Colt McCoy and Florida quarterback Tim Tebow, the defending Heisman winner — will gather at the Nokia Theatre in Times Square, while a national television audience will watch at 7 on ESPN to see which player will be presented with college football’s most coveted individual award.

Bradford, who leads the nation in passing efficiency (186.3) and touchdown passes (48), is considered a slight favorite.

Earlier this week, Bradford came out on top of The Oklahoman’s exit poll, which solicited ballots from 100 Heisman voters.

But this Heisman race figures to be the closest since 1985, when Auburn’s Bo Jackson beat out Iowa quarterback Chuck Long by 46 points.

"I think this year, no one really knows,” Bradford said. "It’s going to be a close race.”

To put some of the anxiety to rest, Bradford and his family planned to visit Top of the Rock Observation Deck at 30 Rockefeller Plaza on Friday night.

That was Bradford’s favorite memory from his first New York trip.

"That was the coolest thing we did last time,” he said. "It’s especially cool at nighttime.”

Today before the Heisman presentation, Bradford is looking forward to his first free time since Wednesday, when he traveled to Orlando, Fla., for the College Football Awards. There, Bradford won the Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award on Thursday, before flying to New York on Friday.

"I want to get out and walk around the city. There were so many things I didn’t get to see the first time,” he said. "But probably the coolest thing is actually getting to go to the Downtown Athletic Club and see the Heisman presentation.

"That’s something you dream about as a kid. To be part of it is going to be a great experience.”