Bradie James is famous on the field for delivering big hits. He's coming off a career season where he led the Cowboys in tackles, plus he led all NFL middle linebackers in sacks...

But its the hits he's taken off the field that's shaped his life...

"Well I actually lost my dad first," Bradie says. "My dad had a liver disease and then three months later, my mom passed."

Bradie lost his mother Etta to breast cancer during his freshman year of college.

"It just motivated me to become who I am today. Thats a part of life. Things happen, but its those who overcome that pretty much go on and be successful. I had a couple of choices. I could either cry about it, be sad, be depressed about it; which I was for a little bit; but I decided to be something for my family that I didn't have yet but just move forward with my life and thats what I did," says Bradie.

When Bradie made it to the Pros he decided to pay tribute to his mother by establishing Foundation 56.

Bradie says, "It's about not giving back but living your purpose and that's pretty much my mission. I don't care about making any banners about what I'm doing as long as I make an impact on someone's life; that's what we all should strive to do."


And the way Bradie's making a difference is through the foundation that bares his number.

"Going out there giving people pamphlets; getting a mammogram; making sure that they have rides once they've been diagnosed with cancer... I wanted to make an immediate impact; and thats what Foundation 56 does. We go out there on the street, and we try to help those people and not fall in between the cracks and that's what we've been able to do."

Tomorrow is the 104th installment of The Red River Rivalry between #3 Texas and #20 Oklahoma. Now this Big 12 Showdown has a reputation of being a high scoring shoot-out. Case and point... last year's game ended in an entertaining 45 - 35 Longhorn victory, but this year... defense may dominate the headlines.

I know it doesn't sound as sexy as a high octane offensive free for all... but the fact of the matter is... both U.T. and O.U. feature two of the best defenses in the nation. Texas ranks 1st in the country in rushing defense while Oklahoma ranks third. The Sooners can also hang their hats on the fact that they're also 3rd in the nation in total sacks.

With that being said, I predict that Texas wins 47 to 38. I feel that when two schools, who really can't stand each other (excluding Colt McCoy's and Sam Bradford's friendship) you can throw statistics and records, out the window. I do expect this one to live up to the hype. Be sure to catch the highlights and post game comments on The 33 News @ Nine.

Ever since DeMarcus Ware entered The NFL back in 2005, he's always been one of the more superior athletes on the field. Now he has the bank account to match. Today, The Cowboys made Ware one of the highest paid defensive players in the league by locking him up to a six year deal worth 78 million dollars; 40 million of that is guaranteed. DeMarcus has no problems with his new contract extension.

"I feel like I've gotten what I deserved," Ware said. "You can't ask for too much money. They (Cowboys) need room to work too."

Ware's numbers speak for themselves. His sack total has increased every year he's been in the league. D-Ware has also gone to three consecutive Pro Bowls. On top of that, Ware is coming off a league best, 20 sack season. But what's more impressive than his stats, is his character.

During the off-season, DeMarcus sat by and watch other prominent defensive players cash in. During training camp, Ware was asked time after time, what's taking The Cowboys so long to offer him a contract extension. DeMarcus didn't complain or threaten to hold out. Instead he continued to do the things that's gotten him to where he's at today... and that's continuing to practice hard, challenge his teammates and whatever else it took to make he and his team better.

There's a reason why you never hear any bad reports on DeMarcus. Off the field, he's as soft as cotton candy. He's one of the nicest guys I've ever met. But on the field, he's a machine. He doesn't take plays off. His work ethic inspires others. He's a leader in every sense of the word. So by The Cowboys breaking the bank to keep Ware (who at the age of 27, is just entering his prime) in Dallas, is easily one of the smartest decisions this franchise has ever made. 

In some ways, Romo is like a magician. During the 2nd quarter of Sunday's 37 to 21 victory over The Falcons, Tony made memories of lackluster performances from earlier in the season... Disappear, by escaping from several tacklers, only to find Patrick Crayton in the back of the end zone for a touchdowns. And at the same time made "The Tony Romo" fans fell in love with reappear.

"I think that run that he had, he kind of got knocked out a little bit," Receiver Roy Williams said. "I think that knocked a little fun into him."

"Certain times in certain games, you might take a chance," said Tony Romo. "Other times you may not. Hopefully there's a lot more good than bad and I think we've had a little bit more of that recently."

Judging by how animated Tony was on the sidelines, it became obvious that he was having fun again. The fact that over the past two games Tony has thrown over 300 yards, has a total of five touchdowns, no interceptions and The Cowboys are now looking for their third win in a row, makes the job more enjoyable.

"You kind of let the up's and down's of whether you're winning or losing closing that side of it sometimes. You know, I'm learning how to enjoy the game and play it. Obviously, it's a little more enjoyable when you're having success and you're winning."

Romo and The Cowboys will host The Seahawks, this Sunday at noon. Last year when the two teams met, Tony was really enjoying himself. He threw for 331 yards and three touchdowns in a 34 to 9 Cowboys victory.