Terry Bradshaw will forever be linked to the Pittsburgh Steelers. The dominance of the Steelers in the Super Bowl era is well known, but if you are an older fan, Bradshaw, Joe Greene, Chuck Noll, and Franco Harris have a space in Pittsburgh’s heart that modern players and coaches just cannot supplant. Some of those players might be better at the game, but they didn’t have to overcome decades of losing and establish the best culture in all of sports.
Harry Homa / Pittsburgh Steelers
Terry Bradshaw (12) calls a play against the Cincinnati Bengals in a 1974 game.
The Hall of Fame quarterback may not be the smoothest broadcaster on the planet, but he isn’t shy about letting loose with his opinions. Bradshaw uncorked his fastball when the subject of Sean Payton came up during a recent interview with Vic Lombardi of Altitude Sports Radio in Denver:
“We would talk,” Bradshaw began on the subject of Payton. “I’d say, 'You can’t go to Charlotte, that is the NFC South. You can’t go to Houston, they don’t have a quarterback down there, and you don’t want to be in Houston.'”
Bradshaw might have been having a senior moment and equating the Houston Texans with the Houston Oilers. The Oilers-Steelers rivalry in the late 1970's and into the 1980's was every bit as nasty as the Baltimore Ravens rivalry is today. The only difference is that there was no mutual respect between the two teams and there is no catchy theme song for Steelers and Ravens games.
Harry Homa / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Terry Bradshaw (12) throws a pass in the 1978 Championship Game.
“He didn’t want to work with that quarterback,” Bradshaw replied to Lombardi about the Cardinals opening and Kyler Murray.
“He’d rather work with Russ [Wilson],” Lombardi interrupted.
“I don’t think so, but that’s all he’s got,” Bradshaw shot back. “He’s got no choice, but I’ll tell you one thing, he will get the most out of him.”
Steelers' Former QB1 Terry Bradshaw Pushes Back On Calls To Step Down From NFL On Fox Job
Bradshaw has come under fire recently for his performance on the popular NFL on Fox show. He is after all 74 years old and has fought cancer to a standstill, while still showing up to do his job. He had a chance to work with Payton this season and Bradshaw felt comfortable enough to share his impressions of Payton’s job search. Sunday afternoon's broadcast may reveal if Bradshaw was speaking out of turn, or delivering quality analysis. Stay tuned.
Payton was a highly sought-after commodity in this off-season’s coaching carousel, and the Denver Broncos were desperate to make a big splash. Payton spent 15 years in New Orleans and compiled a 152-89 record with a Super Bowl trophy and several NFC Championship appearances to his credit. He is considered an offensive guru and will have a chance to resurrect Russell Wilson’s reputation.
Payton worked substantial magic once before with an undersized quarterback in Drew Brees and Wilson needs whatever magic his new head coach can muster. His reputation is in tatters and despite his new contract, the Denver Broncos are backed by Walmart money now and have the deepest pockets in the NFL. They will eat the money owed to Wilson and be patient with Payton if he tells them. It is their only choice.
It will be interesting to see if Payton responds to Bradshaw on the air on Sunday. The NFL On Fox may ask the new Broncos coach to clarify if Bradshaw was speaking for him on the subject of the Arizona Cardinals quarterback, Kyler Murray. If they don’t address it on the air, does that mean they tacitly agree that the Cardinals made a mistake in paying Murray last off-season?
What do you think, Steeler Nation? Did Bradshaw demonstrate he is still capable of delivering meaningful analysis, or did he get Payton into hot water? Please comment below, or on my Twitter @thebubbasq.
