Career Timeline of Terry Bradshaw: Major Achievements and Milestones

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Terry Bradshaw

Discover the career path of Terry Bradshaw, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Terry Bradshaw is a former NFL quarterback, playing 14 seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, winning four Super Bowls. Post-football, he became a prominent television sports analyst, co-hosting Fox NFL Sunday since 1994. Beyond sports, Bradshaw has had a diverse career as an actor, appearing in movies like "Failure to Launch," and a recording artist, releasing country music albums.

1965: Led Woodlawn High School to state championship game

In 1965, Terry Bradshaw led Woodlawn High School to the AAA state championship game, but they lost to the Sulphur Golden Tornadoes.

1966: Arrival at Tech

In 1966, Terry Bradshaw arrived at Tech and caused a media frenzy because of his reputation as a football sensation.

1967: Robertson's Second Season

In 1967, Robertson was the starter for his second season, a year ahead of Terry Bradshaw.

1968: Bradshaw's junior season

During the 1968 season, Terry Bradshaw amassed 2,890 total yards, ranking number one in the NCAA, and led his team to a 9–2 record and a 33–13 win over Akron in the Rice Bowl.

1968: Robertson Chose Not to Play

In 1968, Robertson chose not to play, paving the way for Terry Bradshaw's advancement.

1969: Considered Outstanding College Player

In 1969, Terry Bradshaw was considered by most professional scouts to be the most outstanding college football player in the nation.

1969: Steelers Earned First Draft Pick

In 1969, the Pittsburgh Steelers won a coin flip tiebreaker with the Chicago Bears to earn the first pick in the 1970 NFL draft.

1970: Drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers

In 1970, Terry Bradshaw was selected as the first overall pick in the NFL draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers.

1972: "Immaculate Reception" pass

In 1972, Terry Bradshaw threw the "Immaculate Reception" pass to Franco Harris, among the most famous plays in NFL history, to beat the Raiders in the AFC Divisional playoffs.

1974: Won Super Bowl IX

In 1974, Terry Bradshaw won Super Bowl IX against the Minnesota Vikings, securing the Steelers' first Super Bowl victory.

1974: Steelers defeated the Bills in a playoff game

In 1974, Terry Bradshaw's Steelers defeated Joe Ferguson's Bills in an AFC divisional playoff game.

1975: Won Super Bowl X

In 1975, Terry Bradshaw threw for 209 yards in Super Bowl X, leading the Steelers to a 21-17 victory over the Dallas Cowboys.

1976: Injuries and Outstanding Performance

In 1976, Terry Bradshaw faced neck and wrist injuries, but delivered an outstanding performance against the Baltimore Colts, achieving a perfect passer rating of 158.3.

1976: Success with "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry"

In 1976, Terry Bradshaw's cover of "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" became a hit, reaching the top 20 on Billboard's country chart and number 91 on the Hot 100.

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1976: Steelers Lost AFC Championship

In 1976, after a win against the Colts, the Steelers lost to the Oakland Raiders in the AFC Championship game due to injuries of Harris and Bleier.

1978: Appearance in Hooper

In 1978, Terry Bradshaw appeared in the film Hooper, which starred Burt Reynolds, Jan-Michael Vincent, and Sally Field.

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1978: Named NFL's Most Valuable Player

In 1978, Terry Bradshaw was named the NFL's Most Valuable Player (MVP) by the Associated Press, completing 207 of 368 passes for 2,915 yards and 28 touchdown passes.

1978: Third Super Bowl win

In 1978, Terry Bradshaw won his third Super Bowl with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

1979: Fourth Super Bowl win

In 1979, Terry Bradshaw won his fourth Super Bowl with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

1979: Second Straight Super Bowl MVP

In 1979, Terry Bradshaw won his second straight Super Bowl MVP award in Super Bowl XIV, passing for 309 yards and two touchdowns in a 31–19 win over the Los Angeles Rams.

1980: Cameo in Smokey and the Bandit II

In 1980, Terry Bradshaw had a cameo in Smokey and the Bandit II, starring Burt Reynolds, Jerry Reed, and Sally Field.

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1980: Guest Commentator for CBS Sports

In 1980, Terry Bradshaw started as a guest commentator for CBS Sports' NFC postseason broadcasts, a role he continued through 1982.

1981: Appearance in The Cannonball Run

In 1981, Terry Bradshaw made an appearance in the film The Cannonball Run.

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1982: Wild Card Round Loss

In the strike-shortened 1982 NFL season, Terry Bradshaw played through pain and tied for the most touchdown passes in the league with 17. He played his last postseason game against the San Diego Chargers, completing 28 of 39 passes for 325 yards.

December 10, 1983: Final NFL Game

On December 10, 1983, Terry Bradshaw played his final NFL game against the New York Jets. He felt a pop in his elbow while throwing a touchdown pass, and never played again.

1983: Drafted Rivera instead of Marino

In 1983, the Steelers chose to pass on drafting Pitt quarterback Dan Marino, and instead drafted Gabriel Rivera.

July 24, 1984: Retirement from Football and Signing with CBS

On July 24, 1984, Terry Bradshaw retired from professional football and quickly signed a television contract with CBS to become an NFL game analyst.

1990: Promotion to Television Studio Analyst

In 1990, Terry Bradshaw was promoted to a television studio analyst for The NFL Today, hosting the show with Greg Gumbel through the 1993 season.

1993: Hosting The NFL Today

Terry Bradshaw hosted The NFL Today with Greg Gumbel through the 1993 season.

1994: Bradshaw became a television sports analyst

In 1994, Terry Bradshaw began his career as a television sports analyst and co-host of Fox NFL Sunday.

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1994: Joining Fox NFL Sunday

In 1994, Terry Bradshaw joined Fox NFL Sunday after the Fox network acquired NFL TV rights, where he became known for his comedic role.

1994: Guest Appearance in The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr.

In 1994, Terry Bradshaw made a guest appearance in The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr., playing Colonel Forrest March.

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1997: Hosting Home Team with Terry Bradshaw

In 1997, Terry Bradshaw hosted a short-lived television series called Home Team with Terry Bradshaw.

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2001: Entry into NASCAR with FitzBradshaw Racing

In 2001, Terry Bradshaw entered the world of NASCAR by joining with HighLine Performance Group to form FitzBradshaw Racing and became a spokesman for Jani-King International, Inc.

2001: Hosting Digi-Bowl Specials on Fox Kids

In 2001, Terry Bradshaw hosted the first of two consecutive Digi-Bowl specials on Fox Kids, providing commentary between episodes of Digimon: Digital Monsters.

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October 2002: Return to the Steelers Sideline

In October 2002, Terry Bradshaw returned to the Steelers sideline for the first time in 20 years for a Monday night game between the Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts.

2002: Final Digi-Bowl Special

In 2002, Terry Bradshaw hosted the final Digi-Bowl special on Fox Kids, which coincided with the end of the Fox Kids programming block that year.

2003: Coverage of the Steelers' 1,000th Game

In 2003, Terry Bradshaw returned to cover the Steelers' 1,000th game in franchise history for Fox at Heinz Field.

2004: Ben Roethlisberger Arrived

In 2004, Ben Roethlisberger arrived, marking the end of the Steelers' search for a consistent quarterback since Terry Bradshaw's retirement.

April 2006: Donated memorabilia to Louisiana Tech

In April 2006, Terry Bradshaw donated his Super Bowl rings, Hall of Fame rings, bust, replica trophies, helmet, and jersey to his alma mater, Louisiana Tech.

2006: Appearance in Failure to Launch

In 2006, Terry Bradshaw appeared in the motion picture Failure to Launch, playing the father of Matthew McConaughey's character alongside Kathy Bates.

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2006: Ending Ownership in FitzBradshaw Racing

In 2006, Terry Bradshaw ended his ownership in FitzBradshaw Racing.

November 5, 2007: Acceptance into Steelers' 75th Anniversary All-Time Team

On November 5, 2007, Terry Bradshaw and former teammates accepted their position on the Steelers' 75th Anniversary All-Time Team during Monday Night Football.

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2010: Hosting Television Shows Produced by United States Media Television

Since 2010, Terry Bradshaw has been hosting television shows produced by United States Media Television.

2016: Leading Role in Better Late Than Never

In 2016, Terry Bradshaw had a leading role in the NBC reality-travel series Better Late Than Never, traveling around the world with William Shatner, Henry Winkler, George Foreman, and Jeff Dye.

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2017: Appearance in Father Figures

In 2017, Terry Bradshaw appeared as himself in the comedy film Father Figures.

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2018: Leading Role in Better Late Than Never

In 2018, Terry Bradshaw continued his leading role in the NBC reality-travel series Better Late Than Never.

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January 16, 2019: Competed in The Masked Singer

On January 16, 2019, Terry Bradshaw competed in season one of The Masked Singer as "Deer".

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October 12, 2019: Celebrity Family Feud Appearance

On October 12, 2019, Terry Bradshaw and his family competed in Celebrity Family Feud against Adam Rippon's team.

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January 2, 2020: Appearance on Last Man Standing

On January 2, 2020, Terry Bradshaw was on the season-eight premiere of Last Man Standing.

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September 17, 2020: Premiere of The Bradshaw Bunch

On September 17, 2020, Terry Bradshaw and his family premiered their new E! reality show, The Bradshaw Bunch.

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2020: Launch of Terry Bradshaw Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

In 2020, Terry Bradshaw launched Terry Bradshaw Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, a collaboration with Silver Screen Bottling Company, boasting 51.9 percent ABV (103.8 proof).