2008 Woodie Awards
Former SU athlete shot
Ashley Shelsby
Issue date: 10/3/07 Section: News
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Bradford was shot just outside of the athletic dorms of the University of Memphis, and investigators said they believe it was an intentional attack.
According to the Associated Press, Bradford got into his car after being shot and drove into a tree.
"We found him with a bullet wound to the body and the ambulance took him to the hospital where he was pronounced (dead)," Roger Prewitt, a Memphis Police inspector said.
The University of Memphis Daily Helmsman reported that many football players stood along the scene with blank faces watching Bradford's car being towed away. The battered tree was all that remained as a reminder of the tragedy. Many students have left flowers and other items in memory of Taylor.
Brandon Berry, a junior business finance major at the University of Memphis, met Bradford for the first time last Thursday.
"He was real sharp, he really impressed me," Berry said.
Berry said that the students were informed of the incident via campus wide text messaging and an email that was received early Monday morning informing the students that classes were cancelled for the day.
The University of Memphis held a candlelight service Monday evening, and the school plans to hold a memorial service later this week.
"Everyone is really coming together to remember the tragic loss of Taylor," Berry said.
Memphis had scheduled a home conference game yesterday against Marshall. The team ultimately decided to play the game, which was aired on ESPN2.
Bradford entered Samford in the fall of 2004 and transferred to the University of Memphis after his sophomore year.
Bradford finished his career at Samford with 16 tackles including two for a loss, seeing action in 12 games between 2004 and 2005.
In 2005, Bradford was named in the Ohio Valley Conference Commissioner's Honor Roll.
Samford faculty and students are grieving the loss of Taylor Bradford. Clyde Triplett, a recent business graduate and former Samford teammate of Bradford said that faculty members have called him inquiring about the incident and offering their prayers and concerns.
"(Bradford) had a good attitude, always made us laugh and he loved to joke. He always made good grades and teachers loved him. (It's) definitely shocking to hear," Triplett said.
"Taylor Bradford was a member of the Samford football team for two seasons. His death is tragic, and the thoughts and prayers of the Samford University community are with Taylor's family at this difficult time," Bob Roller, Samford athletics director, said.