(1948-)

Who Is Terry Bradshaw?

Born on September 2, 1948, in Shreveport, Louisiana, professional football player Terry Bradshaw was named an All-American while playing for Louisiana Polytechnic Institute. The first player selected in the 1970 NFL draft, Bradshaw went to great success with the Pittsburgh Steelers. During his 14-year NFL career, he helped take his team to the Super Bowl several times and rightfully earned four Super Bowl rings. Following his Hall of Fame career, he became a leading television personality and analyst for the NFL.

Early Years

Former professional football player, television host, author and actor Terry Paxton Bradshaw was born on September 2, 1948, in Shreveport, Louisiana. One of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history, Bradshaw has spent much of his life playing, reporting and commenting on football. Named an All-American while starring for Louisiana Polytechnic Institute, he was selected first overall in the 1970 NFL draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Pittsburgh Steelers and Super Bowl Championships

During his first few years, Bradshaw struggled to find his footing with the team. Some people made jokes about his intelligence, calling him “dumb” and the “Bayou Bumpkin,” but during the 1974 season, he showed his opponents and critics that he was a force to be reckoned with by leading the Steelers to a Super Bowl victory over the Minnesota Vikings.

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The next year, he and his teammates took on the Dallas Cowboys to win the Super Bowl again. These two teams faced off in 1978 for Super Bowl XIII, with Steelers winning by a narrow margin, 35 to 31. Bradshaw was selected as the Super Bowl Most Valuable Player and the NFL Player of the Year for his accomplishments on the field.

With an arm like a cannon, Bradshaw continued to succeed as quarterback of the Steelers. He won the Super Bowl MVP Award again in 1980 after helping his team defeat the Los Angeles Rams. Unfortunately, he began having difficulty with the muscles in one of his elbows. Bradshaw had surgery to correct the problem, but he returned before he was fully healthy and ended up with permanent damage, forcing his retirement after just one game played in 1983.

Bradshaw was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1989, his first year of eligibility.

Sports Commentator

Having been a guest commentator for CBS Sports over the years, Bradshaw became one of the network’s game analysts. He eventually joined the staff of the show The NFL Today. After 10 years with CBS, Bradshaw jumped ship for Fox Sports in 1994. He became one of the co-hosts and analysts on Fox NFL Sunday. With a sharp strategic mind and a warm sense of humor, Bradshaw has emerged as one of football’s most popular commentators.

Author, Singer and Actor

In addition to his broadcast work, Bradshaw is an author, singer, actor and motivational speaker. He has written several best sellers, including It’s Only a Game (2001). A born-again Christian, he has recorded gospel and country music, scoring a Top 10 hit in 1976 with his cover of Hank Williams’ “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry.”

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Bradshaw has also appeared in several films and television shows, including Failure to Launch (2006), with Matthew McConaughey and Sarah Jessica Parker. Beginning in 2016, he joined William Shatner, Henry Winkler and George Foreman for two seasons of the reality travel series Better Late Than Never.

In January 2019, the media personality announced he was debuting his Terry Bradshaw Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey in partnership with Silver Screen Bottling Company.

Personal Life

Bradshaw has two children from his third marriage, to Charla Hopkins. He married his fourth wife, Tammy, in 2014.

QUICK FACTS

  • Name: Terry Bradshaw
  • Birth Year: 1948
  • Birth date: September 2, 1948
  • Birth State: Louisiana
  • Birth City: Shreveport
  • Birth Country: United States
  • Gender: Male
  • Best Known For: One of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history, Terry Bradshaw has spent much of his life playing, reporting and commenting on football.
  • Industries
    • Sports
    • Television
    • Football
  • Astrological Sign: Virgo
  • Schools
    • Louisiana Technical University
  • Interesting Facts
    • Terry Bradshaw was the first and only NFL player to receive a a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
  • Occupations
    • Television Personality
    • Football Player

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CITATION INFORMATION

  • Article Title: Terry Bradshaw Biography
  • Author: Biography.com Editors
  • Website Name: The Biography.com website
  • Url: https://www.biography.com/athletes/terry-bradshaw
  • Access Date:
  • Publisher: A&E; Television Networks
  • Last Updated: February 3, 2020
  • Original Published Date: April 2, 2014