Sam Bradford

The University of Oklahoma recruited Sam Bradford to be a backup quarterback. In 2008, however, Bradford took a back seat to no one as he received the Heisman Trophy as the best college football player in the United States. Bradford, the first Native American to win the trophy in 38 years, also led the Sooners to the national championship game. He was drafted by the St. Louis Rams and became their starting quarterback, but knee injuries in 2013 and 2014 ended both seasons for Bradford.

Bradford grew up in Oklahoma City, the only child of Kent and Martha Bradford and, being one-sixteenth Cherokee, is a member of that tribe. Kent Bradford was an offensive lineman for powerhouse Oklahoma teams in...