Bradleys memories are of growth and development

McMinn County standout Shazzon Bradley wasn't sure where he was going to play football in college. The offers were coming in from every direction and the choice made by one school help make the decision for Bradley.

"I could have pretty much went everywhere, but Vanderbilt, Duke and Harvard," Bradley said with a laugh. "I always wanted to go to Vanderbilt because I always wanted to be a nerd. You always want to be something you aren't. They wrote me a few letters and eventually asked me for my transcript and I'm still waiting for that next letter. But after 18 years of living in shadow of Neyland Stadium, it made the most sense. I always was fond of Tennessee. There is a rich tradition at Tennessee. I couldn't be more proud to have been a Vol."

Bradley played a pivotal role for the orange clad Volunteers. He was and still remains a fan favorite to this day. So what made him a solid player?

"I don't know if I was a very good defensive tackle," Bradley said. "I just think I understood the game because I started out at center then went to fullback and then to nose tackle. We grew up with football being a way of life. We knew each job on the football field. When we grew up, we grew up tough and we didn't take anything off anyone. I was the poorest guy on the block and we had to haul water. I used to put in big old milk jugs and those were heavy. I had a lot of responsibility because my father put on me. The family had to stay warm so I chopped wood so I developed a lot of natural strength."

The strong work ethic along with his childhood helped mold him into the man he is today. And today, he understands the taste of good food. Something he didn't fully understand when he took his official visit to Tennessee.

"My father always told me bologna was steak," Bradley said. "I went on my visit to Tennessee and I ordered a hamburger and French fries. Coach Fulmer looks at me and said, 'No. No. No. Let me order for you and if you don't like it then you can get a burger and fries.' So he ordered me a big piece of prime rib and I put that prime rib in my mouth and I said where do I sign?"

Bradley recalls so many cool moments from his time in Knoxville. There was the time that head coach Johnny Majors stopped practice to have the team take in a breathtaking sunset. A moment that was triggered by his son recently on a drive home. It's those moments in time that make Bradley proud to call himself a Vol.

"I've got millions of memories," Bradley said. "The games, and the stories that we all tell when we get together. There isn't anyone that you can't find if you want to find them. You come as a boy and you become a man. The leadership you learn is something you can't describe. You not only learn the game, but you learn how to become a productive person and citizen."

A midst of the stories, memories and bone chilling moments, Bradley would go back in time for one moment if time would allow.

"I'd go back to the first time I was on the field at Neyland Stadium," Bradley said. "Chad Goodwin and I had wrestled each other a ton in high school and the first time we went head to head he got me in a headlock and beat me. I probably beat him the next 16 or 17 times we wrestled. Well there we are on the first punt unit and he was the long-snapper. He was a McMinn Central guy and I'm from McMinn County, but he just looked at me, winked and said, 'let's do this homeboy' that was a wake up call and set the tone. He could see I was nervous and he put all that to rest and let me know we are one big family."

The depth that Tennessee had during that era was tough to beat, Bradley points out that every practice was more difficult than the games because of the person you had to line up across from.

"Jeff Smith and Bubba Miller were on my side every day," Bradley said. "You better be on the top of your game every time the ball is snapped. It was a fight for your life and that's how you learn to play every snap. I don't remember my last snap, but I can guarantee you I played it at 110%.

Bradley is the father to a 5-foot-11 and 225 pound freshly turned 13 year old. He looks up and sees his former teammates with sons that currently play or are committed to Tennessee. It's another reminder of the bond that is shared by the group labeled Vols for Life.

"We are definitely getting old," Bradley said. "It's fun to see those kids playing and it shows the tradition of Tennessee. We passed it on and passed it down. I always wanted to be just like coach Majors and coach Fulmer. We are all family. We don't give a handshake. We give hugs. I think the richest tradition at Tennessee is Roger Frazier and Max Parrott. They remember everyone to this day."

After graduation, Bradley played professionally and eventually became a prize fighter. He's lived all over the world, but currently resides in Halls where his role of dad may be the his most important yet.

"I just stress that education comes first," Bradley said. "I'm all for sports because it teaches you very important life lessons, but without an education you won't go anywhere in life."