TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

A Boon For A Sooner

ADVERTISEMENT

By MICK ELLIOTT | The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 14, 2008

Updated: 12/14/2008 12:13 am

NEW YORK - Mystery and suspense built Saturday night at the Nokia Theater in Times Square until 8:54 p.m., when Oklahoma University sophomore quarterback Sam Bradford joined college football's most exclusive men's club.

And Florida's Tim Tebow found his newest cause.

An obviously disappointed Gators quarterback finished third in the voting, failing to join Ohio State's Archie Griffin as the prestigious award's only two-time winners. Nevertheless, he played a historic role in one of the most intriguing votes in the trophy's 74-year history. Texas quarterback Colt McCoy was second.

That seemed to be little consolation.

"Absolutely," Tebow said when asked if he was leaving disappointed. "I'm competitive. I want to win at everything I do. So, obviously, I wanted to win. But, oh well, get ready to go."

Interestingly, Tebow was the top first-place vote-getter, receiving 309 compared to 300 for Bradford and 266 for McCoy. But Tebow also received the most third-place votes of the trio, while 154 of 904 voters left the 2007 Heisman winner completely off their ballots. Only once before had the third-place finisher led in first-place votes. No third-place finisher ever received as many first-place votes as Tebow.

Did that provide any solace?

"To tell you the truth, not really," he said. "You lose, you lose. I do think it shows that either they love us or they hate us - Gator Nation."

After the announcement, Tebow answered questions in the formal news conference with a plastic smile glued on his face. He praised Bradford and McCoy, conveyed the honor he felt for being a finalist and said everything that Tim Tebow would be expected to say. All, however, was expressed with an unusual edge.

"Hey, I looked good," he said later. "I smiled the whole time."

He also raised a few Florida eyebrows - and hopes.

"Maybe it's even more motivation for one more year to tie Archie, I don't know," Tebow said.

The three finalists sat customarily together in the theater's front row during the hourlong ceremony, a continuation of fellowship they shared during an active week of award presentations and photo ops leading to the New York visit.

After Bradford's announcement, the winner was immediately embraced by Tebow, sitting to his immediate left, a rival he will see again in next month's BCS national championship game between OU and Florida.

A few seconds later, Tebow's cell phone began spitting out text messages - many from defensive teammates who will be going after a Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback.

"I think they are excited," Tebow said. "I've already gotten quite a few texts from guys. I can't share them, but there were some good ones. A lot of guys. We're excited. We're going to be ready for Jan. 8."

Bradford's victory is the fifth stiff-arming statue for the Sooners, who previously were represented by Billy Vessels (1952), Steve Owens (1969), Billy Sims (1978) and Jason White (2003). Bradford also joins Tebow as the only sophomore Heisman winner.

"I cannot put into words what just happened," Bradford said. "It's kind of surreal. It will not be until tomorrow that this will start to sink in.

"I was not expecting to hear my name called and when it was, there was so much excitement."

The OU quarterback had a monstrous year statistically. He threw for 4,464 yards, leading the nation with 48 touchdown passes and in passing efficiency. The Sooners finished the year with an NCAA-record five consecutive games scoring more than 60 points.

There also is the national championship game against Florida. And Tebow.

"I don't have," Tebow said when asked if extra motivation now comes with the matchup. "It just is. To tell you the truth, it's probably even more motivating to my teammates than even myself. We'll see."

Reporter Mick Elliott can be reached at (813) 281-2534.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT