Bradford & Bench to be honored in ceremony at First Americans Museum

The already impressive list of accolades for two of Oklahoma’s most famous athletes is about to get even longer. The American Indian Athletic Hall of Fame (AIAHOF) will induct Sam Bradford and Johnny Bench during an April 28th ceremony. The event will take place at the First Americans Museum (FAM), which will soon be the permanent home of the AIAHOF.

“It is our hope that by sharing with the world the history of great American Indian athletes past and present, this will encourage Native youth in their journey for success whether it be through sports or other areas of achievement,” said David Powless (Oneida) AIAHOF board president and 2008 inductee.

Bradford, a member of the Cherokee Nation, was born and raised in Oklahoma City. He attended the University of Oklahoma where he was an All American and Heisman Trophy winning quarterback. Bradford was the first pick of the 2010 NFL draft and was also named Rookie of the Year.

Bench, a Choctaw Nation citizen, grew up in Binger. He signed with the Cincinnati Reds in 1965 and made the Reds’ major league roster in 1968. Regarded as the best catcher to ever play the game, Bench’s honors include World Series MVP and 14-time All-Star. He was also the recipient of 10 Gold Gloves. Bench was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1989 with the fourth highest percentage of total votes cast.

FAM Director/CEO James Pepper Henry (Kaw), says the ceremony is the first step in a two-year process to relocate the AIAHOF from its current location at Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, Kansas.

“Although FAM focuses on the 39 tribal nations in Oklahoma today, this merger helps us move to a national level to be more reflective of all tribal communities nationwide,” Henry said.

The AIAHOF has 110 inductees, including Olympians Billy Mills (Oglala Lakota) and Jim Thorpe (Sac and Fox).

Mills stunned the world by taking gold in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. The victory is considered one of the greatest upsets in Olympic history because he was a virtual unknown heading into the event. He is the USA’s one- and- only gold medalist in the men’s 10,000m.

Oklahoma native Jim Thorpe has been called one of the greatest athletes of the 20th century. He won two Olympic gold medals in track and field and played professional baseball, football and basketball.

Individual tickets for the 2023 AIAHOF Induction Ceremony can be purchased online for $225.