Shazzon Bradley is a former American football player and boxer. He played college football at the University of Tennessee.
Early years
editBradley is from Athens, Tennessee. He attended McMinn County High School, where he was an All-American football player for the Cherokees.[1] In addition, he wrestled for the Cherokees. He was a two-time state champion for the Cherokees in the 275 Weight Class for the 1987 and 1988 seasons.[2] He held a school-record in the discus throw for 34 years, until it was broken in 2022.[3] He was named to the school's Hall of Fame in the Class of 2013.[4]
College football
editBradley attended and played college football at the University of Tennessee under head coach Johnny Majors from 1988 to 1991.[5][6] As a freshman, he earned All-SEC honors.[7][8] He was a starter for the team at middle linebacker. In the 1989 season, he ranked second on the team with 97 total hits.[9] That year, he recorded an interception against #4 Auburn that thwarted a late comeback attempt by the Tigers.[10][11] In the 1991 season, he recorded a receiving touchdown on a fake field goal from quarterback Andy Kelly in a 45–0 win over Vanderbilt.[12]
Professional career
editBradley was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the ninth round of the 1992 NFL draft.[13] He was released as part of the team's final cuts that year.[14]
Boxing
editFollowing his college football career, Bradley went into professional boxing. He was active from 1993 to 1999.[15] He was a heavyweight. He recorded a 21–0 mark before suffering a detached retina and being forced into retirement.[16]
Personal life
editBradley has a criminology degree from the University of Tennessee. He has since worked in security.[16] He was a co-founder of East Tennessee Elite Football Incorporated, a non-profit organization, which helps youth in the Knoxville community and outlying areas.[17]
References
edit- ^ "PARADE All-Americans". AHSFHS.org. Retrieved March 17, 2024.
- ^ "McMinn Co. High School Cherokees Wrestling Summary". TSSAA. Retrieved March 17, 2024.
- ^ Garcia, Gabriel (April 19, 2022). "One for the record: Caleb Johnson surpasses Shazzon Bradley's 34-year-old McMinn discus mark". The Daily Post-Athenian. Retrieved March 17, 2024.
- ^ "Inductees" (PDF). McMinn County High School Hall of Fame. Retrieved March 17, 2024.
- ^ Power, Scott (June 10, 2020). "Majors' legacy a cornerstone of Tennessee football". The Daily Post-Athenian. Retrieved March 17, 2024.
- ^ Price, Austin (October 22, 2015). "Bradley's memories are of growth and development". Rivals.com. Retrieved March 17, 2024.
- ^ Robinson, Lauren (March 31, 2016). "Bring the Boom - Football". Chattanooga High School Football. Retrieved March 17, 2024.
- ^ "SEC Honors & Acccolades" (PDF). ESPN.com. Retrieved March 17, 2024.
- ^ "Shazzon Bradley Gallery". Trading Card Database. Retrieved March 17, 2024.
- ^ Calhoun, Caleb (June 8, 2020). "Ranking Tennessee football's top 10 wins under Johnny Majors". All for Tennessee. Retrieved March 17, 2024.
- ^ Shibley, Michael (June 25, 2008). "College Football Retro Review: 1989 Tennessee vs. Auburn". Bleacher Report. Retrieved March 17, 2024.
- ^ "TENNESSEE 45, VANDERBILT 0". Greensboro News and Record. November 30, 1991. Retrieved March 17, 2024.
- ^ "1992 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 17, 2024.
- ^ "BOXER'S TOUGHEST FIGHT IS BEHIND HIM". New York Daily News. May 8, 1998. Retrieved March 17, 2024.
- ^ "Shazzon Bradley". BoxRec. Retrieved March 17, 2024.
- ^ a b Wiedmer, Mark (May 2, 2012). "Wiedmer: Ex-Vols star Shazzon Bradley knows secrets of security". Chattanooga Times Free Press. Retrieved March 17, 2024.
- ^ "East TN Elite". East TN Elite. Retrieved March 17, 2024.