Former Gaffney standout hangs up cleats

By LARRY HILLIARDLedger Sports Editorlarry@gaffneyledger.com

MARCUS BRADLEY Injuries might have robbed Marcus Bradley of his speed, but not of his good sense.

Bradley lasted just a week in the training camp of the Canadian Football League Winnipeg Blue Bombers before realizing it was time to call it quits.

“I have retired,” said Bradley, a standout linebacker on the Indians’ 1993 state runner-up team. “I just couldn’t keep up with the young kids. All of the injuries have slowed me down. My football playing career is over.”

After a stellar career at Western Carolina and a brief training camp stay with the San Diego Chargers in 1999, Bradley was on his way to becoming a star in the Canadian Football League when he snapped his fibula and tibia as well as broke his ankle in the fourth game of the 2000 season.

After a couple of years of rehabbing the injury, he played for the Rio Grande Valley Dorados and Macon Knights of the Arena Football League 2.

He signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers earlier this year, re-uniting with former Calgary Stampeder defensive coordinator Jim Dailey.

Bradley said he plans to finish his coursework at Clemson University.