McCoy, Bradford Friendship Bridges Tense Red River Rivalry

DALLAS -- Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford's emotions were sprawled all over the place on the night of Sept. 5 as uncertainty about his injured shoulder weighed on him, when a text message of inspiration popped onto his cell phone.

"I'm praying for you and I hope you can get back as soon as possible."

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Under most circumstances this would be wholly unspectacular, a friend reaching out with support and a few words of inspiration.

But what made this message special was that it came from a friend. And a rival. It came from Texas senior quarterback Colt McCoy.

Texas and Oklahoma football players normally don't inspire each. They live to cause each other despair. But for the Heisman-winning signal-caller and the Heisman runner-up, a little rivalry -- OK, a massive rivalry -- can't come between their friendship.

"Colt's a great guy," said Bradford, a junior. "Him sending me a text message after I got hurt telling me he was praying for me and to stay with it and keep my head up just says a lot about the type of guy he is.

"I think a lot of people seeing us going to rival schools probably wouldn't have done that. For him to do something like that and to keep encouraging me says a lot about who he is."

Bigger than that, it says something about the most unlikely friendship that has been formed these last several months between McCoy and Bradford, one that surely transcends the rivalry that will be renewed during the annual Red River Rivalry Saturday morning at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas.

Making the postseason awards circuit last December, the two quarterbacks who had worked hard to beat each other the previous two seasons figured out they had far more in common than they had difference. They were two small town boys, who had played every sport in high school and were now the two most popular people at their respective state flagship schools.

They both have become college football legends at their respective state flagship schools as well, and both made the unpopular decision last offseason to bypass NFL riches as high draft choices to return to school.

"We've kind of grown up the same way," McCoy said. "So we do have some things in common."

The two talked frequently during the summer, and while the conversations have been limited to primarily text messaging during the season, the two still find reasons and ways to reach out to each other.

Their relationship and the oddity of it will be the subject of conversation and in-depth interviews in the days leading up to Saturday's showdown.

"Even though it might be unpopular for some fans and some players, the fact that Colt and Sam Bradford have tremendous respect for each other and like each other and are friends and can laugh and still compete on Saturday," said Texas coach Mack Brown. "They can go into the game not angry and putting down the other team and all that is a great message for sportsmanship."

McCoy stayed in contact with Bradford as the Oklahoma quarterback went through a trying rehabilitation after spraining the AC joint in his right shoulder during the Sept. 5 season opener against BYU. Bradford missed three games and four weeks away before returning to action during last Saturday's Big 12 opener against Baylor.

McCoy, who battled through some injuries early in career, empathized with what Bradford went through.

"He's such a competitor, such a leader and to know something is [preventing] you from being able to play, that's a hard pill to swallow," said McCoy, a four-year starter for the Longhorns. "I know how hard he's worked to get back out on the field. I'm definitely happy for him."

But both quarterbacks agree that their friendship is one thing. This game and the rivalry are another. Like most years, the Red River Rivalry carries great implications for both programs. The third-ranked Longhorns (5-0) are looking to unseat the three-time Big 12 South champion Sooners, while also staying on track for a bid for the BCS national championship.

No. 2 Oklahoma, which has lost two games in non-conference, might be out of the national title picture but the South division championship and a BCS bowl berth are within reach with a win Saturday.

So it's to see how friendships will have to take a backseat come Saturday's 11AM CT neutral site kickoff.



"It is a big game, but I think from a fans' perspective and people outside of the game think that it's crazy that I can be friends with Sam or that Sam could be friends with me," said McCoy, who is 2-1 in the Red River Rivalry game. "But we are and he's a great guy and we have a lot in common, but we both understand this is a huge game. We are going to go out there and play the best we can.

"We know what we have to do to go out there and win. We understand we have to go out there and compete and play hard and be the best for our team. We have a good friendship."