Terry Bradshaw previously came clean about his innate desire to keep everyone happy – which has made life extra challenging as criticism has regularly been fired his way of late for his TV work.

The 76-year-old is a familiar face on FOX NFL Sunday, having been a fixture on the show since its inception in 1994. But long before his broadcasting days, Bradshaw was tearing up the field as a formidable quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1970 to 1983, clinching four Super Bowl titles along the way and earning MVP honors in two of those victories.

Bradshaw’s list of accolades doesn’t stop at Super Bowl rings; he was crowned the NFL’s Most Valuable Player and made the First-Team All-Pro in 1978, not to mention snagging a Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year award the next year. The legendary QB has also secured spots in the Steelers’ Hall of Honor and the franchise’s All-Time Team.

Despite his tough exterior on the gridiron leading the Steelers to glory, the NFL-icon-turned-commentator has revealed a more vulnerable side. In a chat with Business Traveler USA last year, Bradshaw – who has shown in his old age he has become forgetful at times on FOX – said: “I don’t like people to be upset with me.” He interestingly added: “I like people to like me.”

Bradshaw opened up about his personal battles after being diagnosed with clinical depression in 1999, reports the Irish Star. Despite the challenges of being in the spotlight, therapy helped Bradshaw get a grip on the mental health issue that affects around 21 million American adults.

On the topic of mental health, Bradshaw said: “The depression thing for a man is very difficult because society has, in the past not necessarily now looked upon it as a weakness in who you are. I went through three years of therapy and learned a whole lot about depression and a whole lot about me and I was able to handle whatever the public threw at me.”

Terry Bradshaw has been with the FOX NFL Sunday show since 1994

Terry Bradshaw has been with the FOX NFL Sunday show since 1994 ( 

Image:

Getty Images)

However, Bradshaw was taken aback when he faced calls for retirement from the public in September 2022 after appearing short of breath on an episode of FOX NFL Sunday. Reflecting on the experience, Bradshaw said: “I couldn’t breathe. That’s when everybody notices. ‘What’s wrong with him?’ Social media went, ‘get rid of him. He needs to be off the air. He’s an embarrassment.’ And I was like, ’embarrassment? I got cancer’.”

Bradshaw was diagnosed with bladder cancer in November 2021, before a rare skin cancer was found on his neck just four months later. Discussing why he kept his health struggles private at the time, he explained: “I didn’t talk about it because I didn’t want pity. I didn’t talk about it because a lot of celebrities unfortunately, I’m one of those when they say this, I think the perception around America with all the millions of people is, ‘aw, look at him. Bless his heart. He has cancer. Well, my husband died of cancer! My kids are…’ I didn’t want that.”

After receiving treatments from two different hospitals, Bradshaw has triumphed over his serious health challenges and has maintained his position on FOX. While some might say Bradshaw doesn’t need to worry about pleasing everyone, given his status as a three-time Outstanding Sports Personality Emmy winner and his popularity among sports fans nationwide, he has faced recent criticism for moments of forgetfulness during his commentary.

This has sparked increased calls for him to step down from his television role. Whether he will heed these suggestions remains to be seen.