By Bill Archer
Bluefield Daily Telegraph
May 18, 2008 09:49 pm
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BLUEFIELD, Va. — It may have been a football jersey with the number 2 that Graham High School retired during a program in the GHS auditorium, but the man who once wore the jersey was number one in the hearts of Bluefield, Va., Saturday night.
As he walked to the podium, a single tear raced down Ahmad Bradshaw’s left cheek like the young man had raced through NFL defenses during the improbable playoff run by the New York Giants in the 2007-’08 season. Bradshaw’s tear gleamed under the GHS stage lights just as Bradshaw himself shined on professional football’s biggest stage — Super Bowl XLII. He wore a rather modest silver necklace and silver watchband, but their luster couldn’t compete with the singular expression of sincerity that flowed from the 22-year-old’s eye in response to the love of his family, his school, his friends and his community.
“I’d like to give thanks to God,” Bradshaw said after humbly accepting the compliments of his former coaches, supporters, local, county and state elected officials. “I’ve been blessed to have this success. I’d like all of my family to stand up,” he said, motioning to the entire front row of the school auditorium. “They’ve been very supportive of me.”
Bradshaw’s family stood, acknowledged the young man and turned to wave at the audience that responded with a loud round of applause. Bradshaw then acknowledged the help of his high school football coach, the late Glynn Carlock. “Coach Carlock’s passion for the game of football was stronger than anyone’s passion for football that I’ve ever seen. There’s not a game I play that I don’t think about Coach and his passion for the game,” Bradshaw said. “He just pumped me up.”
Bradshaw said that Carlock urged him to take advantage of his opportunities on the football field. “I dedicate all of this success to him,” Bradshaw said. “It was a big part of my career. He gave me the opportunity and just kept on pushing.
“I also give my thanks to the town of Bluefield,” he said motioning in the direction of a huge sign that will adorn the entrances of the town heralding Bradshaw’s gridiron success. The sign bears the message: “Town of Bluefield, Home of Ahmad Bradshaw, New York Giants Super Bowl Champions XLII.
“Coming up, I’ve been pushed, by my family and my teachers,” he said and mentioned the names of two of his former teachers in the audience. The audience laughed as a huge, playful smile emerged on Bradshaw’s face.
He smiled and thanked his many friends in the audience and encouraged the young people in the audience to chase their dreams. “Just have a dream for whatever you want to do,” he said. “My dream ... It’s a blessing. I just want to thank all of you all for coming out tonight. It’s been a blessing.”
The audience stood and cheered, and in the din of the applause, Bradshaw’s friend Charlie Stacy walked quietly to the stage to whisper something to Bradshaw. In the emotion of the moment, Bradshaw had forgotten to give the school and the town each a football signed by Ahmad.
“What a wonderful night this has been,” Rick Taylor, vice mayor of Bluefield, Va., said after Bradshaw’s remarks. Taylor, who shared master of ceremonies responsibilities with GHS Principal John O’Neal, was obviously excited from start to finish, although he has known Bradshaw since the young man was a star on the Bluefield Chargers Midget Football League team.
At least by the end of the hour-long program O’Neal had regained enough decorum to correct Taylor who invited everyone to attend a reception in the “lunch room.”
“We call it a cafeteria,” O’Neal said.
Bradshaw’s father, James Bradshaw was also a star running back at Graham in the 1969-’70 era lingered in the front of the auditorium as most people went into the school cafeteria for refreshments and to visit with his son. Other family members and friends lingered as well.
“This feels like a family reunion,” Velma Bradshaw, Ahmad’s great aunt said. Velma Bradshaw taught mathematics in the Bluefield schools and was active in the Bluefield State College alumni association and with the Bluefield Community Center.
“I’m not even a member of the family, but they invited me to sit up here with them,” Thedia Harris said. “I’ve known Ahmad all of his life. I was honored to stand when he called out to his family.”
Taylor made a reference to the Giants’ late regular season and playoff run of seven consecutive road games that culminated with a 17-14 victory over the previously unbeaten New England Patriots. “Tonight Ahmad, you’ve got you a home game,” Taylor said at the beginning of the evening.
O’Neal remarked that he was uncertain as to how he should approach a salute to a Super Bowl champion, but said, “those of us who have been around Ahmad, you just knew something special was going to happen.” O’Neal recalled Carlock’s prophetic remarks when he presented the Bill Dudley Award to Bradshaw, predicting that people would be watching Bradshaw on Sundays. He said that when Bradshaw dropped by GHS a few weeks earlier for an unannounced visit, the halls were packed with students when the bell rang. “You spoke to every one of them,” O’Neal said to the young NFL star.
Coach Doug Marrs, current G-Men head football coach said it was an honor for him to be there, but noted that the honor belonged to someone else, referring to Coach Carlock. “What a love he had for Ahmad, and what a love Ahmad had for him,” Marrs said. “Ahmad has been a huge ambassador for Graham High School and Bluefield.”
Marrs acknowledged the contributions all of the Bradshaw family has made to GHS athletics through the years. “Family is so important,” Marrs said. “It’s that unity that holds a lot of us together.”
Marrs shared a story with the audience concerning a call he received from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers that he thought was from the Bluefield Middle School Buccaneers, but the most important story was: “Every play we called for two years, we knew we could score on. Even plays we didn’t call, he could score on,” Marrs said. “Nobody will ever wear the number 2 at Graham High School again.”
Taylor recounted the storied success of Ahmad’s father, Jim, and uncles Leon and Rex. He noted that there were at least two Bradshaw No. 44 New York Giant jerseys in the audience, and noted that when the Giants weren’t successful, Bluefield Daily Telegraph sportswriter and GHS alumnus Jed Lockett was the only person who was wearing Giants gear. Taylor asked Bradshaw to help him unveil the sign. It was the first time the young man had seen it.
Donnie Linkous of the Bluefield, Va., town council gave an incredibly moving, articulate tribute to Bradshaw as told from the prospective of a volunteer linesman who carried the chains for first down markers at Graham games “for an eternity.” Linkous recalled Jim Bradshaw’s exploits, “Back in those days, that guy was as unbelievable as his son,” and recounted other stories from his sideline prospective.
“Today is only the beginning,” Linkous said. “Hard work, dedication and the grace of God has got you this far. Just keep your eyes on Him.”
David Anderson, Eastern District representative on the Tazewell County Board of Supervisors and a GHS alumnus also recalled the exploits of Bradshaw’s father and Uncle Leon, but said Ahmad was special. “You were a man among boys,” Anderson, who carries the downs marker at GHS home games said. He then read a proclamation on the part of Tazewell County.
State Delegate Anne B. Crockett-Stark, R-Wythe, confessed that she won a $5 bet with her brothers on the Super Bowl, and read House Joint Resolution 436, passed by the House of Delegates on Feb. 22, honoring Bradshaw. “God has blessed you with good mentors,” Crockett-Stark said, and urged Bradshaw to take the responsibility to be a role model for future generations.
Bluefield Town Manager Todd Day said he is still working out the details as to where the sign honoring Bradshaw will be placed.
– Contact Bill Archer at barcher@bdtonline.com
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Ahmad Bradshaw Bluefield Daily Telegraph