Players and coaches who competed with and against Sam Bradford years ago aren't surprised Bradford has made it big. They sensed the tall, shy, ultra-talented, skinny kid had the mental makeup and talent to be special.

What surprised some is Bradford chose football.

Bradford obviously made an excellent decision. At OU, Bradford won the Heisman and played in a BCS title game. He was selected No. 1 overall in the 2010 NFL Draft. The quarterback's six-year, $78 million deal with the St. Louis Rams is the most lucrative rookie contract in NFL history.

On Sunday afternoon, Bradford and the Rams play the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium.