Bobby BradleyMt. Airy, NC

The summer prior to our junior year I had decided that I would concentrate only on basketball. I had somehow falsely convinced myself that I was good enough to play in college. As it got closer to time to report to our new Coach Gibbs’ inaugural football camp, I was really happy with my decision. According to the camp schedule, it was obvious this would be a brutal experience.

The day came to report to camp. My best friends, George Snyder and George Francisco came by and wanted me to ride down to the gym and speak with coach Gibbs. At the end of our conversation I was told to report to the Jr High gym by 5:30 that day if I was going to play. 5:30 came and went. My parents were away for the week, so I was looking forward to a fun time at home alone.

Our phone rang at 11 PM. It was coach Gibbs and coach Holleman on the phone wanting to know why I was not at the gym. I just answered, “I’ve decided not to play.” That was not acceptable to them and they drove to my house in Coach Holleman’s “SS 396”, got me, put my mattress on top of the car, and carried me to football camp.

I am forever grateful for their persistence. I believe my entire life would have been altered had this not happened. I’m sure I went to the college I attended because of that night. I landed my first job because the hiring decision was made by a person that loved my Alma Mater. That led to my next job with an alumnae from my alma mater. This led to me accidently bumping into the sister of someone I had dated in the past. This sister is the love of my life and has been for 43 years. She brought the stability into my life that I needed to enable my walk down the pathway I needed to follow to obtain complete happiness. Because of her we have been

blessed with 5 wonderful children and 16 grandchildren. She is the reason I consider my life a success.

I do not believe in coincidences, but I believe in miracles. The night that Coach Alex Gibbs and Coach James Holleman came and made me do what I should have willingly done myself, was possibly the greatest miracle in my life.

Bobby Bradley