The doors of opportunity
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No comments [ Add Comment ]By Trent Toone
Standard-Examiner staff
SALT LAKE CITY -- When Bradon Godfrey arrived at the University of Utah campus in 2005, he was a no-name walk-on who had just given up a scholarship at Southern Utah.
Fast forward three years and life could not get much better for the 6-foot-3, 197-pound senior wide out. Godfrey, No. 81, is currently the leading receiver and fills an important special teams' role for the undefeated and No. 17-ranked Utes. Off the field, he relishes every opportunity to give back to the community. He also recently married his college sweetheart.
Godfrey's experience at Utah is another classic example of how discipline, hard work and a golden heart can open doors of opportunity.
"Being a walk-on and starting over (at Utah) was a challenge for me. It was hard, but it was worth it and paid off big time," Godfrey said. "It's fun to have a senior year like I've had so far."
On the advice of a coach who believed he could play Division I, Godfrey left SUU after being named the Great West Conference freshman of the year. Not only did Godfrey earn a scholarship at Utah, but he currently leads the Utes with 20 catches for 219 yards and one touchdown.
That lone touchdown, which he promises won't be his last, came right before halftime in one of most memorable games of Godfrey's football career -- Utah's 25-23 win at Michigan in front of more than 100,000 fans.
"I'll never forget walking in and see the stadium full. The place is electric," said Godfrey, who caught seven passes for 84 yards in the Big House. "That was awesome."
Godfrey said his goal this year is to catch every pass quarterback Brian Johnson throws in his direction. He especially thrives on the pressure of third-and-long.
Godfrey is described by teammates as an unselfish, fearless player willing to take a nasty hit if it will help the Utes to move the chains.
"Bradon is a huge part of what we do. He is the guy who goes over the middle and makes the tough catches -- very efficient receiver," Johnson said. "He's a big piece of our puzzle."
If it is pressure Godfrey wants, however, it may come more in special teams where he is the PAT/field goal holder for kicker Louie Sakoda.
Godfrey said he was given the job during spring practices after All-American Eric Weddle graduated. It's a position he takes a lot of pride in, he said.
"I think they were just looking for some good hands," Godfrey said. "I worked with Louie for a few minutes and things started clicking. He liked the way I held the ball. I had one bad hold last year against Louisville and Louie missed, but things have been pretty solid since then."
Selfless service
There is another side to Bradon's experience at Utah that has been very fulfilling, his mother Heidi Godfrey revealed, and it's her son's desire to help the less fortunate.
"There are so many golden moments that never get told," she said.
For example, Bradon keeps a collection of his used, but still in good condition cleats. He enjoys giving a pair to younger players who can't afford their own. He once gave his receiver's gloves to a deserving 10-year-old boy. When he learned of a Utah fan suffering from cancer, he and some teammates went to visit and left a signed football.
He also recently spoke at a fireside with coach Kyle Whittingham and others at the Utah's LDS Institute.
During the 2006 season, Godfrey was asked by coaches to take a special assignment and help a lady named Arthea Paulos, who had been diagnosed with ALS or Lou Gehrig's Disease. It became more than a job for Godfrey, who bought her groceries, drove her around and helped around her house.
Paulos, who now lives in Florida, later showed Godfrey her appreciation by sending him an autographed football by Steve Young and Jerry Rice, two of his favorite NFL players.
Family loyalty
Godfrey's accomplish-ments at Utah have not been a surprise for his grandpa Gary Hansen, who played on the offensive and defensive lines at Weber State in the 1960s and coached at Layton High School during the 1970s and 80s.
"It's either hit or get hit," Hansen taught Bradon at a young age. "I think he has really taken that to heart and that has helped him to be successful."
Football has pulled grandpa and grandson together in a special bond. After each game Hansen calls Godfrey for the post-game analysis and insider information. Hansen is a season ticket holder at Utah and can always been seen wearing his No. 81 jersey.
"I have always been close to my grandpa Hansen, he is awesome support and very interested in me and my success, I love him for that," Godfrey said. "He knows where I am coming from because he's been there, he has played and coached."
That loyalty will not be tested this Saturday when Utah hosts Hansen's alma mater, Weber State.
"I won't be wearing purple. You got to go where your blood is and my blood is red," chuckled Hansen, also a season-ticket holder for the Wildcats. "It will be a learning experience for Weber anyway."
