From the Tallahassee Democrat -
SUPER BOWL LII FEB. 4, 2018 ❚ MINNEAPOLIS
Work ethic, determination have led local star to big game
Curt Weiler Tallahassee Democrat USA TODAY NETWORK – FLORIDA
From his first day of football practice as a freshman in 2004, Scott Klees knew Nigel Bradham was going to be special.
The Wakulla head coach — who was defensive coordinator at that time — quickly moved Bradham to varsity.
“What’s crazy is I can remember when I first got here, looking at him down there at the rec league and saying, ‘My gosh, this kid is going to be good,’ ” Klees said.
“Then, he got to middle school and I said, ‘Man, he could play varsity football in middle school his eighth-grade year’ … Week three, he was starting for (the varsity team) as a freshman on the defensive side of the ball at linebacker.”
Over the years, Bradham’s rise has continued, and this weekend marks an exciting milestone for the 28-year-old linebacker and his hometown.
Bradham will be the first player from Wakulla County to play in a Super Bowl, when his Philadelphia Eagles meet the New England Patriots Sunday in Minneapolis.
Bradham is one of four former Florida State players starting on the Eagles’ defense, joining cornerbacks Patrick Robinson and Ronald Darby and defensive tackle Timmy Jernigan.
It’s Bradham’s Wakulla ties and how the community has rallied around him that make his story unique.
“Our community is very excited, everybody who had a part in his success to get there. It’s just phenomenal. I can’t wait to see him play,” Klees said.
“Hopefully, he wins it and we have a parade or some kind of something going on for him right here. There will be something big done here in Wakulla County if he wins the Super Bowl. That’s for sure.”
For Bradham, a playing career at FSU before being drafted into the NFL was a goal of his from his developmental years.
Bradham was a four-year starter for the Seminoles (2008-11). He led the team in tackles his last three seasons and started 37 consecutive games. In 2012, he was a fourth-round selection of the Buffalo Bills.
“He was probably somewhere between 8 and 10 when he told me that he was going to play at FSU,” his mother, Rose Rucker, said.
“I basically told him at that age you are the only person that can make that dream come true. No one else but you.”
As the top linebacker and No. 19 overall recruit in the 2008 recruiting class, Bradham made that official when he signed with the Seminoles in February 2008.
“The biggest thing I remember about him was his willingness to do whatever it took to be successful in the classroom and on the practice field,” Klees said.
“His work ethic was just incredible.”
Over four years at linebacker for FSU, Bradham tallied 305 total tackles, 21.5 tackles for loss, nine sacks and four forced turnovers. He was an anchor on the FSU defense that bridged the gap between the end of the Bobby Bowden era with the beginning of Jimbo Fisher’s time as head coach.
“He loves the game of football. He shows that respect for the game by coming to practice every day and playing hard, playing tough, playing fast, and being that leader,” former FSU defensive tackle Jacobbi McDaniel said.
“He was a guy that his actions spoke louder than his words.”
Bradham was selected 105th overall in the fourth round of the 2012 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills.
After four seasons in Buffalo, Bradham signed with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2016.
Since joining the Eagles, Bradham has taken the next step.
He has amassed 60-plus solo tackles in each of the last two years after surpassing that mark only once with the Bills.
Playing in the NFL Playoffs for the first time in his career, Bradham now has the chance to win a Super Bowl ring.
Rucker — who will be attending the game in Minneapolis — sees Bradham as a figure who those throughout the community can look up to.
“It’s something that he can give to small towns that have kids that feel like they can’t get outside of this small town. They feel like they just have to settle for whatever is there for them for work,” Rucker said.
“Just the idea that Nigel came from a single-parent home, went the next step, succeeded and now his dream is coming true because he said he wanted to play in a Super Bowl. He’s accomplished that whether they win or not.”
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