HU Alum, Branden Bufford, Looks Back at Bison Football Career After Recent NFL Opportunity

Howard University graduate and Bison football cornerback, Branden Bufford, followed his childhood dream all the way to a shot in the NFL. Hoping to follow in the footsteps of former Howard defensive backs such as, Indianapolis Colts safety, Antoine Bethea, and St. Louis Rams cornerback, Ron Bartell, Bufford recently signed to the Detroit Lions with intentions of making the final regular season roster.

Bufford, a Detroit native, was very pleased to be an interest of his hometown team.

"I had a feeling they were going to sign me," Bufford said. "I had a try out back in April, and they didn't draft any cornerbacks in the draft, but it was still great when I got the call."

Two days after the conclusion of the recent NFL Lockout, Bufford received a telephone call from the Lions staff, inviting him to try out for their 2011-2012 team.

Bufford is no stranger to sudden opportunities having walked on to the Bison football team in 2007.

"I got a call from the defensive back coach at Howard pretty much asking me to come out and try out with Howard," Bufford said. "As a walk-on, it takes a lot of patience and you are always preparing for something. It's a tough road to travel."

Senior, criminal justice major, and defensive end, Sackie Kerkulah referred to Bufford as a "technician".

"He is real technical when he is doing something," he said. "He works hard at his craft and is a good guy, and great teammate. He motivated the teams, and always knew what he needed to do to improve anything he was doing."

Unfortunately, Bufford was released by the Lions, but is now taking on the new challenge of graduate school at Wayne State University studying Education Administration. He is in the process of interviewing for teaching positions.

"I am a little more nervous about this than I was with the Lions," Bufford said. "I've played football since I was 8; I know how to do that. But I have never been a teacher before you know."

Though Bufford's football career is on ice at the moment and he now faces a new venture, he insists that he is ready for the task thanks to his years at the Mecca.

He states, "Howard University has really prepared me for life. All the running around I had to do with football and school has me ready to take on the other challenges ahead."