Sep. 18—It will be a difficult goodbye to the Buffaloes for senior running back/defensive back Brayden Bumphus, but the second family he has been a part of on the field has made his love of football and his excitement about the future more sweet than sour.
From the time Bumphus started playing tackle football in seventh grade, he realized that football was more than just a game. The brotherhood and locker room camaraderie along with his natural talent made him believe that if he continued to work hard, he could play at the next level.
“The thing that really made me stay into football was just the brotherhood,” Bumphus said. “The connection that we had in the locker room, even in middle school, was very tight.”
Bumphus continued to get better from year to year and became a varsity team member of the Buffaloes’ varsity team his freshman year in 2021. Throughout his high school career, he played running back and linebacker, racking up 168 total rushing yards, 160 receiving yards, 76 total tackles and three interceptions.
He expressed that it was difficult to pinpoint one memory wearing the black and gold jersey, but said that upsetting Bishop McGuinness his sophomore year is a game he will never forget. In that game, McAlester reached the state title game for the second consecutive year for the first time in program history.
“Just the energy, the atmosphere, the plays that happened,” Bumphus said. “It’s just that moment when we knew we had it, our ticket was punched to state, it was surreal.”
Having influenced him to play football, Bumphus said that off the field, his parents have been his biggest supporter. Bumphus also mentioned that current Buffaloes defensive coordinator Kevin Harmon has been a role model on the field that encourages him to be the best football player and teammate every day.
“My parents influenced me a lot and they’re always pushing me to be my best,” Bumphus said. “Coach Harmon set the tone when it came to football stuff.”
Reflecting back on his time at McAlester, Bumphus encourages incoming freshman football players to always be attentive, listen to coaching and to always be willing to work hard to achieve their goals.
“I’d tell them just to listen, pay attention, always work hard and never stop grinding for what you want,” Bumphus said.
After high school, Bumphus is exploring many routes including playing football collegiately and studying to become a business professional.
