University of Northern Iowa Athletics
Curt Bradley: No Need for an Off Season
9/14/2006 8:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 14, 2006
Wide receiver by fall - infielder/outfielder by spring. For Curt Bradley, the term "off season" has no meaning as he snatches baseballs and footballs out of the air for the Panther better good.
"I'm passionate about football when things are going well and I feel like I'm a part of the game and I'm passionate about baseball whenever I can help out the team," said Bradley. "I'm actually passionate about whichever one is in season."
Besides having to miss fall baseball and spring football, Bradley enjoys his time at UNI as a dual-sport athlete. He keeps his focus as he transitions from baseball to football and football to baseball every year. "The change allows me to clear my mind from football in order to focus on baseball and vice versa," said Bradley.
Sports have played a large role in Bradley's life, starting just weeks after birth. At 18 days old, Bradley attended his father Phil's 1985 All-Star baseball game. Curt and his family followed Phil's career from the Seattle Mariners to the Philadelphia Phillies to the Baltimore Orioles to the Chicago White Sox and closed out his career in Japan where Curt attended kindergarten.
Thankfully to the UNI football program, this Columbia, Mo. native pursued football as well as baseball. Bradley also competed in high school soccer and hockey. "I was never pushed one way or the other. I spent more time in baseball because of my dad's career, but I think he enjoys watching me play football the most," said Bradley.
College sports are a family affair for the Bradleys, since Curt's sister, Megan, was a top-seeded tennis player for the University of Miami and is now a professional tennis player and their father, Phil, was an all-Big 8 performer in baseball and football at the University of Missouri where he was the university's first African-American quarterback.
"I was too small to be a quarterback like my dad," said Bradley. "I was a running back and defensive back. Then I switched to a receiver. I always liked the feeling of the ball in my hand."
Bradley may not play quarterback like his father, but he is the quarterback of the receivers. He is a student of the game in every way and uses his knowledge to help other receivers understand plays with his unique leadership methods. "I lead with humor and try to lighten the mood," said Bradley. "Football is a serious game and you have coaches riding on you. If you have someone to make you laugh, but still work hard at doing it, he can make things easier on you." An injury prevented Bradley from getting into pads and practicing during camp, but he still played the role of captain and helped out the team in his own way.
"I spent a lot of time with the receivers and the younger players. I know the offense well so I could help them with plays and getting them lined up," said Bradley. "As far as the team goes, I spent a lot of time being a cheerleader and trying to help people enjoy practice more and bring smiles. I tried to make sure they were enjoying the game of football and not the job of football."
Since Chattanooga, the Panthers have been putting in a lot of work in hopes of a second championship appearance. Bradley aims high, but overall he hopes for a successful season and as long as everyone shows up to play, he will "let the chips fall where they fall."
"We have enough talent to go as far as we need to go. Every player just needs to show up everyday, be accountable, and let the coaches know you care about the team and are ready to work," said Bradley.
This upbeat, positive receiver attributes his leadership characteristics and how he treats people in general to the two most influential people in his life, his parents. "I've got two incredible parents. Just the way they handle themselves around my sister and me, the way they treat people, and lead people. They are my inspiration," said Bradley.
Bradley's two inspirations make it to almost every athletic event he participates in. Phil makes the trip to every game and Curt's mother, Ramona, has missed three or four games to see his sister play tennis. "It's always good to see them and spend time with them. They always stay at the same hotel and my mom always cooks a nice meal at my apartment after the game," said Bradley.
As a captain, Bradley hopes to connect with and help some of the younger kids by delivering an idea to them that has kept him playing hard for a cause. "It's a lot more than going out and playing a football game," said Bradley. "You play for a community and university that is willing to support your team."
