The Pittsburgh Steelers are among the NFL's most well-respected, successful franchises. They are the seventh-oldest franchise in history as they enter their 91st season. They did not start with winning seasons. The team struggled mightily until Art Rooney Sr. allowed Head Coach Chuck Noll to draft the team he wanted.
Associated Press
Steelers' Terry Bradshaw poses with Chuck Noll and his father, William Bradshaw, after being drafted.
While quiet and introspective, Noll had a unique way of motivating players. Like the Rooneys, Noll was known to stand by his players, even if it wasn't in the "rah-rah" cheerleader way many wanted.
One player he both clashed with and believed in was Terry Bradshaw. Bradshaw has spoken extensively about his struggles deciphering Noll and his coaching philosophy. He never felt that Noll believed he was good enough, and for his part, Noll seemed to want Bradshaw to find confidence in himself.
Bradshaw spent 14 seasons playing for Pittsburgh, helping them win four Super Bowls and twice being chosen as MVP. He was the NFL's Most Valuable Player in 1978 and was selected to three Pro Bowls. Bradshaw was a first-ballot NFL Hall of Fame enshrinee in 1989.
He has an incredible career, but so did a lot of Steelers players during that era and beyond. This is why it surprises many that the team has only chosen to retire three jersey numbers officially -- Ernie Stautner (70), Joe Greene (75), and in 2022, they added Franco Harris (32). This leads to debate among fans over who, if anyone, should be next.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Archives
Former Steelers quarterback, Terry Bradshaw (left) and former head coach, Chuck Noll (right).
Recently, in his popular chat column in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, longtime Steelers beat reporter, Gerry Dulac was asked who he thinks should be next. Dulac's answer wasn't surprising.
"12," wrote Dulac.
This is hardly the first time this has come up. Joe Starkey from 93.7 The Fan recently called it "an embarrassment" that the organization has not chosen to honor Bradshaw's work by retiring his number. Many believe Bradshaw's complicated relationship with the team and the city is to blame. He has been quite a polarizing figure over the years.
Purposely avoiding Pittsburgh, Bradshaw did not attend Rooney's funeral, special events, or the last game at Three Rivers Stadium. He managed to steer clear until his good friend and teammate, center Mike Webster, died tragically in 2002.
Regardless of the feelings surrounding Bradshaw and who he was as a person, no other city has failed to retire the jersey of a quarterback that meant as much as Bradshaw. When you consider other quarterbacks who've had their jersey retired, such as Dan Marino, John Elway, and Joe Montana, it is hard to argue against Bradshaw.
AP
Steelers teammates congratulate Lynn Swann after he catches a pass from Terry Bradshaw.
Bradshaw is responsible for bringing the Super Bowl into the modern era, from the old-time drudge fest, to the modern-day shootout. His passes to Lynn Swann made the Super Bowl the most-watched sports event in history at that time. Dulac's sentiments echo the majority of fans at this point; give Bradshaw his due.
Steelers' Terry Bradshaw Was Known As A Jokester
If you aren't old enough to remember Bradshaw as a player, you have certainly seen him as an analyst on Fox Sports. He and his fellow co-hosts, Jimmy Johnson and Howie Long, laugh and play practical jokes on one another the whole show.
Jimmy Kimmel Live
Terry Bradshaw and Howie Long were guests on Jimmy Kimmel Live.
He loves to tell the story about when he pulled one over on jokester Jimmy Kimmel. To please the higher-ups at Mane 'n Tail, Bradshaw commented on a TV show that it was helping his hair to grow back. Their sales shot through the roof, with even Kimmel trying it. Kimmel admitted to Bradshaw that he tried it until he realized Bradshaw was still bald. Bradshaw admitted he was trying to save his farm some money.
Who should be the next Steelers player to have their number retired? Click to comment below.
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