Rohde: Don't second guess Bradford's decision

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Don't dare do it.

Don't say, "I told you so" to anyone who'll listen.

"I told you he should have gone pro after last season."

"I told you he shouldn't have tried to come back after getting hurt."

"I told you he should have had surgery."

Don't second-guess Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford.

Keep it to yourself. Nobody wants to hear it, read it or see it, particularly Bradford.

Besides, he deserves better treatment than that.

When Oklahoma's junior quarterback separated his right shoulder against Brigham Young, everybody suddenly thought they were Bradford's coach, his doctor, his father, or all the above.

Bradford is well provided for in all these matters, so hands off.

Bradford re-injured the shoulder in Saturday's 16-13 loss to Texas, which already has many of you repeating yourselves.

Please stop before you start.

Instead, pray for two things: 1. A healthy recovery; 2. For people keep their traps shut as to what Bradford should do or should have done.

Bradford lasted just eight plays Saturday morning before being sacked by blitzing nickel back Aaron Williams.

"We're really sorry for Sam that he got hurt," Longhorns coach Mack Brown said. "What a great kid and a great player."

We are now back in a holding pattern with Bradford.

His future is uncertain. He doesn't know when he'll return, or under what circumstance.

He doesn't know, so you couldn't possibly know, so don't bother pretending you know.

Back off and give the kid some space.

We're about to get the exact same answers to the exact same questions from a month ago.

Been there, done that. Asked and answered.

During Saturday's post-game interview, Bradford was asked if this was his last Oklahoma-Texas game.

"I really can't answer that," Bradford said. "I'm not sure. I'll have to make that decision at the end of this year."

As was the case before, Bradford will explore his medical options and go from there.

When there is more news to share, Sooners coach Bob Stoops will share it.

It was the proper way to handle this matter before, and it's the proper way to handle it again.

"We were going with good information from doctors," Stoops said. "He understood the entire situation. Sam is a bright young guy. He knows what he wants, and unfortunately it just hasn't worked out very well."

From multiple accounts, Bradford was primed and ready Saturday.

"I saw him throw the prettiest 60-yard pass to finish our warm up as I've seen him throw," Stoops said.

Bradford spotted OU offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson beforehand and said, "It's going to be a great day."

"I know he was really excited to play," Wilson said. "He's played well in great games and to not have a chance to finish it, that's unfortunate."

Wilson said the 2008 Heisman Trophy winner "has been unbelievably impressive, just the way he's gone about his business working and carrying himself, the things he gives us off the field that you guys (media) don't see. An unbelievable player ... he's been a blessing to have for our football team."

There is a chance Bradford's collegiate career ended on the 34-yard line inside Cotton Bowl stadium.

Then again, maybe not.

Until we found out what the answer is, please fight the urge to repeat yourself.

Don't dare do it.

(Contact John Rohde at jrohde(at)opubco.com.)

(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, www.scrippsnews.com.)

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