The Pittsburgh Steelers drafted Terry Bradshaw in the first round of the 1970 NFL Draft. Bradshaw experienced every level of success in the NFL during his time in Pittsburgh. He won four Super Bowls, went to multiple Pro Bowls and led the AFC in touchdown passes. He was also booed mercilessly, which no Pittsburgh quarterback has heard since. He was called dumb and then benched while he was in the black and gold.
Credit: Steelers.com
Bradshaw avoided Pittsburgh for years and famously snubbed the Rooney family by not attending Art Rooney’s funeral. He apologized and admitted that his lifelong battle with depression caused him to make some curious decisions and ultimately patched up his relationship with the team, the city and his head coach Chuck Noll. Some of the slights were imagined, but in truth, quite a few were real.
Bradshaw has worked for Fox Sports for nearly three decades and has become one of America’s favorite people to invite into their home on Sunday afternoon. The 74-year-old former Super Bowl MVP has starred in multiple movies and presides over the Pick 6 Fox Sports contest to take ‘Terry’s Money’. Despite his personal demons and occasional off-handed comments, few people in American sports generate admiration like Bradshaw.
SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 17: Quarterback Terry Bradshaw #12 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs onto the field for the second half during an NFL game against the San Diego Chargers at San Diego Stadium on December 17, 1972, in San Diego, California. The Steelers defeated the Chargers 24-2 / Credit: James Flores / Getty Images
The Steelers legend has never been the smoothest broadcaster, but that is not his appeal. His keen homespun observations and relationship with his fellow hosts are the attraction. Bradshaw has projected a big, strong good ole boy for decades but on Fox Sunday it was a little different.
Terry Bradshaw does not look good. I hope he's ok. #foxnflsunday
— Chad (@HaterSlayer) September 25, 2022
He seemed to be struggling during the appearance and looked to be wincing in pain. He did not seem comfortable and it didn’t go unnoticed on Twitter. He appeared short of breath and mentioned he only had one lung during a segment on the show.
Are we going to talk about how bad Terry Bradshaw was today recapping highlights or are we just like nodding along at this point?
— Teddy Ricketson (@TeddyRicketson) September 25, 2022
I'm not joking — why is Terry Bradshaw on television? This dude can barely speak English and doesn't pronounce anybody's name correctly.
— Sosa Kremenjas (@QBsMVP) September 18, 2022
He called Amon-Ra St. Brown "Amon-Ra St. John" earlier...
I can love Terry Bradshaw, but I can love Terry Bradshaw and still say it is time for him to turn game highlight narration over to someone else.
— CD TundraVision (@TundraVision) September 25, 2022
It's painful and kinda breaks my heart. Reminds me of Pat Summerall at the end.
The appearance comes after news that Bradshaw is selling his 744-acre ranch in Oklahoma with a reported asking price of $22.5 million. The award-winning Palomino breeder, who also stars in the reality show The Bradshaw Bunch, talked about his life to Steve Brown of the Dallas Morning News.
“It’s time we slowed down a little,” Bradshaw responded to the news of selling his ranch.
Bradshaw recently underwent a series of radiation treatments for what was described as a non-cancerous tumor behind his heart. The effervescent bundle of energy canceled all of his planned appearances for the fall and winter seasons at the Clay Cooper Theatre in Branson, MO for his one-man show. He is reportedly fine and just wants to recuperate fully, but after seeing him yesterday it is obvious that like most people who end up battling health issues, Bradshaw will occasionally have bad days.
Credit: Harry Homa / Pittsburgh Steelers
Football in the 1970s was no picnic. Many of his contemporaries can barely walk and at 73 years old he has lost teammates like Mike Webster and L.C. Greenwood. It is hard to see your boyhood heroes get old and Bradshaw is often overlooked as a great player. When his name is brought up, he is dismissed because of his touchdown to interception ratio, because presentism is the new standard that everyone is judged by. In the late 1970s, he was the best big game quarterback in that version of the NFL.
Credit: Harry Homa / Pittsburgh Steelers
Long-time football fans remember how tough Bradshaw was on the football field. Popping up routinely after hits that would have defenders sentenced for felony battery in today’s NFL, makes seeing him appear in noticeable pain cause for concern. Perhaps Bradshaw is just looking forward to relaxing in his golden years after giving more than 50 years to football and entertaining America. He certainly has earned a comfortable retirement.
The Steelers do not typically retire numbers and when Franco Harris gets his number 32 retired on Christmas Eve, Bradshaw should be in attendance. Maybe it is time to consider putting 12 in the rafters alongside Mean Joe Greene and Harris. They were the faces of the greatest Steelers Dynasty, and it would be great to see them hang together permanently.
What do you think Steeler Nation? How do you feel about Bradshaw, is it time for him to rest? Comment below or on my Twitter @thebubbasq.
#SteelerNation
Coming to the Steelers Jets game on Oct 2? Come tailgate with us! All you can drink and eat. Click here.
