Freddie Bradley

Freddie Lee Bradley, Jr. (born June 12, 1970, in Helena, Arkansas ) is an American former professional football player who was a running back for the San Diego Chargers of the National Football League (NFL) in 1996. He played college football for the Arkansas Razorbacks and Sonoma State Seawolves.

Early life Freddie Bradley was born in Helena, Arkansas, but moved to California in the ninth grade. His mother died when he was an infant, and he had little contact with his father, so he transferred to California to live with his sister and her six children.

College career

Moorpark College Bradley received no scholarship offers from Division I schools due to his poor grades, and instead went to Moorpark College, a junior college in Moorpark, California. Running 4.4 seconds in the 40-yard dash and bench-pressing 360 pounds, Bradley had an immediate impact for Moorpark Head Coach Jim Bittner. He ran for a 93-yard kickoff return touchdown the first time he touched the ball, Bradley also holds school records for all-purpose yards in a season (2428) and in a career (4123).

University of Arkansas Bradley transferred to the University of Arkansas as a junior for the 1991 season, and rushed for 197 yards on 49 carries (4.0 avg). helping the team a 6–6 record and an appearance the 1991 Independence Bowl, losing to Georgia 24–15.

Bradley's career at Arkansas ended after only one season, when he and teammate Derrick Martin were arrested April 23, 1992, on charges of rape of a thirteen-year-old girl. Bradley and Martin were both dismissed from the team by Head Coach Jack Crowe. Bradley and Martin denied having sex with the girl, and both players were later acquitted of all charges. and he was academically ineligible in 1994. He finally played in 1995, rushing for 726 yards (4.7 avg.) for a Sonoma State team that only had a 1–8 record.

NFL career

San Diego Chargers Freddie Bradley, now 26 years old, had only played a complete season once in the previous five seasons leading up the 1996 NFL draft, which made him somewhat of an unknown quantity. Despite playing in obscurity at Sonoma State, he caught the attention of the San Diego Chargers' general manager Bobby Beathard, who selected him in the seventh round (231st pick) of the draft. Bradley became the second player drafted from Sonoma State, following Pro Football Hall of Fame member Larry Allen, who was selected in 1994. Bradley and Allen were teammates at Sonoma State during the 1993 season. Bradley's lone career start came in the final game of the season. He rushed for 60 yards and caught 1 pass for 20 yards, helping the Chargers avoid a losing season by defeating the Denver Broncos 16–10.

Personal life Freddie Bradley and his wife Edith were married before his arrival at the University of Arkansas, and they were living together in off-campus housing when he was arrested and charged with rape in 1992.