History of Terry Bradshaw in Timeline
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.
September 2, 1948: Terry Bradshaw Born
On September 2, 1948, Terry Paxton Bradshaw was born. He would later become a professional football quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers and a television sports analyst.
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: Melissa Babish, Miss Teenage America
In 1969, Melissa Babish was Miss Teenage America. She would later marry Terry Bradshaw.
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: Received Golden Plate Award
In 1970, Terry Bradshaw received the Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement.
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: Marriage to Melissa Babish
In 1972, Terry Bradshaw married Melissa Babish (Miss Teenage America, 1969).
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.
1973: Divorce from Melissa Babish
In 1973, Terry Bradshaw divorced Melissa Babish.
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: Marriage to JoJo Starbuck
In 1976, Terry Bradshaw married ice skater JoJo Starbuck.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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: Marriage to Charla Hopkins and Divorce from JoJo Starbuck
In 1983, Terry Bradshaw married family attorney Charla Hopkins and divorced ice skater JoJo Starbuck.
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.
1984: Inducted into Louisiana Tech sports hall of fame
In 1984, Terry Bradshaw was inducted into the inaugural class of the Louisiana Tech sports hall of fame.
1988: Absence from Art Rooney's Funeral
In 1988, Terry Bradshaw's anxieties about appearing in public led to him not attending the funeral of Steelers team founder and owner Art Rooney, causing an unintentional estrangement from the Steelers.
1989: Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame
In 1989, Terry Bradshaw was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.
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.
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.
1996: Inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame
In 1996, Terry Bradshaw was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
July 1997: Presented Mike Webster at Hall of Fame Induction
In July 1997, Terry Bradshaw presented Mike Webster, his center on the Steelers' Super Bowl XIII and XIV title teams, at his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
1997: Hosting Home Team with Terry Bradshaw
In 1997, Terry Bradshaw hosted a short-lived television series called Home Team with Terry Bradshaw.
1999: Divorce from Charla Hopkins
In 1999, Terry Bradshaw divorced Charla Hopkins, with whom he had two daughters, Erin and Rachel.
December 16, 2000: Absence from the Last Game at Three Rivers Stadium
On December 16, 2000, Terry Bradshaw was with the Fox NFL Sunday crew aboard the USS Harry S. Truman for their pregame show, missing the last regular-season game at Three Rivers Stadium and expressing regret for not being there.
October 11, 2001: Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
On October 11, 2001, Terry Bradshaw received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, making him the first NFL player to receive this honor.
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.
September 2002: Return to Pittsburgh for Mike Webster's Funeral
In September 2002, Terry Bradshaw returned to Pittsburgh to attend the funeral of his longtime friend and fellow Hall of Fame teammate, Mike Webster, marking his first return to the city after a long absence.
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.
February 6, 2006: Appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
On February 6, 2006, after an appearance on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno", Terry Bradshaw stated why he did not attend the Super Bowl XL MVP parade, citing family time and dislike for crowds and media circus. He also said money was not an issue.
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.
2006: Ending Ownership in FitzBradshaw Racing
In 2006, Terry Bradshaw ended his ownership in FitzBradshaw Racing.
September 2007: Top-Ranked Former Pro Football Player
As of September 2007, Terry Bradshaw was ranked as the top former pro football player in the Davie-Brown Index, indicating high consumer appeal and trust.
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.
2007: Appearance on Steelers All-Time Team
In 2007, Terry Bradshaw appeared to take his position on the Steelers All-Time Team as part of the team's 75th-anniversary festivities, alongside teammates like Mean Joe Greene and Franco Harris for a game against the Baltimore Ravens on November 5.
2007: Nashville Reality Show Featuring Rachel Bradshaw
In 2007, Terry Bradshaw's daughter, Rachel Bradshaw, appeared in Nashville, a reality television series about young musicians trying to make it in Nashville.
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.
2012: Support for Newt Gingrich and Criticism of Terrell Suggs
In 2012, Terry Bradshaw publicly supported Newt Gingrich for the Republican presidential nomination on Fox News and criticized Terrell Suggs for his comments about Tim Tebow's Christian faith.
July 8, 2014: Marriage to Tammy
On July 8, 2014, Terry Bradshaw married Tammy, his girlfriend of 15 years, marking his fourth marriage.
2014: Death of William Marvin "Bill" Bradshaw
In 2014, Terry Bradshaw's father, William Marvin "Bill" Bradshaw, passed away. He was a veteran of the United States Navy and a former vice president of manufacturing.
2014: Noll's Death
Terry Bradshaw stated that he and Steelers head coach Chuck Noll made peace (at least publicly) before Noll's death in 2014. Bradshaw and Noll had an uneasy relationship during his playing days.
2016: Interview with NFL Films
In 2016, Terry Bradshaw discussed his relationship with Chuck Noll in an interview with NFL Films for an episode of A Football Life, highlighting their culture clash.
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.
2017: Criticism of President Donald Trump
During a 2017 episode of FOX NFL Sunday, Terry Bradshaw criticized President Donald Trump's focus on NFL players kneeling during the national anthem, suggesting he should focus on North Korea and healthcare instead.
2017: Appearance in Father Figures
In 2017, Terry Bradshaw appeared as himself in the comedy film Father Figures.
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.
January 16, 2019: Competed in The Masked Singer
On January 16, 2019, Terry Bradshaw competed in season one of The Masked Singer as "Deer".
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.
2019: Comments on Donald Trump's Planned Attendance at a Football Game
In 2019, Terry Bradshaw appeared on Fox & Friends and commented on Donald Trump's planned attendance of a regular-season game between the University of Alabama and Louisiana State University, stating that he respects Donald Trump "having the guts to go in there."
January 2, 2020: Appearance on Last Man Standing
On January 2, 2020, Terry Bradshaw was on the season-eight premiere of Last Man Standing.
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.
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).
September 2022: Disclosure of Cancer Treatment
In September 2022, Terry Bradshaw revealed that he had been treated for bladder cancer and neck cancer between 2021 and 2022, after viewers expressed concern during his appearance on Fox NFL Sunday.
2022: Release of documentary Section 1
In 2022, Section 1, a documentary by Jon Bois and Alex Rubenstein about the 1976 plane crash near the Baltimore Colts' stadium, was released.
2023: Death of Novis Bradshaw
In 2023, Terry Bradshaw's mother, Novis Bradshaw, passed away. She was one of five children of Clifford and Lula Gay.
Mentioned in this timeline
Donald John Trump is an American politician media personality and...
CBS is a major American commercial broadcast television and radio...
College football is a popular amateur sport in the United...
The National Broadcasting Company NBC is a major American commercial...
The Super Bowl is the annual championship game of the...
Football encompasses a variety of team sports centered on kicking...
Trending
19 minutes ago PlaqueBoyMax leaves FaZe Clan, Announces New Chapter; Stable Ronaldo shows support.
2 months ago Chernobyl Plans Post-War Tourism Hub: Education & Economic Renewal in Ukraine
20 minutes ago Babe Ruth 14u teams across US compete, fundraising for World Series journey.
Karrion Kross born Kevin Robert Kesar is an American professional wrestler currently signed with WWE performing on the Raw brand...
12 days ago DC Council Compromise on Tipped Wages Sparks Anger and Debate Among Advocates.
1 hour ago Joe Biden criticized for complicity in Gaza starvation and downplaying atrocities by US officials.
Popular
Jeff Bezos is an American businessman renowned as the founder...
Jupiter is the fifth and largest planet from the Sun...
Elizabeth Warren is a prominent American politician and the senior...
Adam Schiff is an American politician and lawyer currently serving...
Ken Paxton is an American politician and lawyer currently serving...
Chuck Schumer is the senior United States Senator from New...