My childhood hero

[jimnyc]

How do you win 4 super bowls while playing in Pittsburgh and then not like them later in life? HOW do you play for them, and then become a New Orleans Saints fan?

Terry Bradshaw was my idol growing up. I think I've changed it to a guy who is younger than me in Big Ben. Bradshaw has more or less hated Pittsburgh since he left. I never cared much, but he's getting worse and worse as he ages. He obviously has some issues with his former team.

-----

Terry Bradshaw tells reporters 'If Pittsburgh loses, I still sleep good'

Despite leading the Pittsburgh Steelers to four Super Bowl victories in the 70’s, Terry Bradshaw has always had a strained relationship with the city he played for. Perhaps it was because Chuck Noll did not give him enough hugs when he was the quarterback of his team, as Bradshaw alluded to in the NFL Network’s “A Football Life” documentary, or perhaps it was because he did not feel the love of the city in his early years.

Whatever the reason, Bradshaw has consistently remained distant from the franchise, turning down chances to return to Pittsburgh for events celebrating the Steelers of the Steel Curtain era and even the funeral for Noll back in 2014.

After speaking his mind on “cheerleader” head coach Mike Tomlin recently, Bradshaw tried to downplay those comments on Wednesday at a Fox Sports event to promote the upcoming Super Bowl. Although, in classic Bradshaw style, he managed to dig an even deeper hole for himself when speaking to the media and reported by Rob Owen of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

“Listen, I’m in the business of saying things, giving opinions. I’m not going to stop because Mike Tomlin ‑‑ and I played in Pittsburgh. I’m not going to back off. I did it to Ben Roethlisberger when he got the motorcycle crash. My job is not to hide from what I say, you know. Be a little bit better. … Shouldn’t have said the cheerleader part, but life moves on.”

When asked if he thought Tomlin was a great coach, Bradshaw was still not ready to put that tag on him, at least not in any way that was meaningful.

“There’s only one great coach in the NFL, and that’s that coach up in New England. That’s a great coach. If ‘great’ is the word that you’re looking for and I present them the trophy, I promise it will be tongue‑in‑cheek, and you’ll pick up on it: ‘Mike Tomlin, congratulations. You’re a great coach. You just won your second Super Bowl. What do you think? Are we buddies now?’ I don’t think so but, you know ‑‑ maybe I would.”

In what might be the most disappointing part of Bradshaw’s comments, he saved the most hurtful for last. While generations of fans grew up loving “The Blonde Bomber” and the Steelers, the affection is not reciprocated for his old team. Bradshaw makes no effort to hide the fact he is a New Orleans Saints fan, his hometown team.

“I made it clear the Saints are my team, there’s my love interest, and everybody else is fair game if they screw up. … I pull more for people [than teams]. If Pittsburgh loses, I still sleep good.”

Sadly while Steeler Nation bleeds the real black and gold, their hero from the 70’s bleeds a different shade altogether.

http://steelerswire.usatoday.com/2017/01/12/terry-bradshaw-tells-reporters-if-pittsburgh-loses-i-still-sleep-good/

[Abbey Marie]

He owes Pittsburgh for enabling his accomplishments there, and any coach who cheats, by definition, is not even close to great.
Finally, I only wish my Giants could have Mike Tomlin.

What a buffoon.

[jimnyc]

He owes Pittsburgh for enabling his accomplishments there, and any coach who cheats by definition is not even close to great.
Finally, I only wish my Giants could have Mike Tomlin.

What a buffoon.

It's hard for me to go after him. I wanted a full size helmet with his signature on it, that's been a gift I wanted since I was like 10 years old. It took me like 20 years but I finally bought me a helmet which cost a fortune. You can mail things to the players at the stadiums for signatures, but he's not there anymore. I could probably send it to the station, but was too afraid I would never get it back. Plus, the more I learn, he may get it and refuse!!

But he has had a bad taste in his mouth over Coach Noll, and then leaving Pittsburgh. But damn, the city LOVED this man, and most still do. But he won't go to events - where the stadium would lose their collective minds if he walked out on the field again. But his hatred has grown worse. That sucks. Don't take it out on the team, the fans, future players and coaches, that's just dumb.

You can't have Tomlin though!! I wanted Bruce Arians to get the gig back when Cowher left. But now that I've gotten to know Tomlin, and listen to EVERY weekly presser, and see how smart he is, and how kind, I love him as a coach!! Chuck Noll is still my favorite though. :)

[Gunny]

It's hard for me to go after him. I wanted a full size helmet with his signature on it, that's been a gift I wanted since I was like 10 years old. It took me like 20 years but I finally bought me a helmet which cost a fortune. You can mail things to the players at the stadiums for signatures, but he's not there anymore. I could probably send it to the station, but was too afraid I would never get it back. Plus, the more I learn, he may get it and refuse!!

But he has had a bad taste in his mouth over Coach Noll, and then leaving Pittsburgh. But damn, the city LOVED this man, and most still do. But he won't go to events - where the stadium would lose their collective minds if he walked out on the field again. But his hatred has grown worse. That sucks. Don't take it out on the team, the fans, future players and coaches, that's just dumb.

You can't have Tomlin though!! I wanted Bruce Arians to get the gig back when Cowher left. But now that I've gotten to know Tomlin, and listen to EVERY weekly presser, and see how smart he is, and how kind, I love him as a coach!! Chuck Noll is still my favorite though. :)

Bradshaw was and is an ungrateful dumbass. He was useless until Pittsburg built a team around him. Chuck Noll hated him and he hated the team. Noll would bench his ass in a second.

And I have his rookie card, jerk. What you willing to pay? I'd have to find it but I know I got it somewhere. :)

[gabosaurus]

How do you win 4 super bowls while playing in Pittsburgh and then not like them later in life? HOW do you play for them, and then become a New Orleans Saints fan?

Terry Bradshaw was my idol growing up. I think I've changed it to a guy who is younger than me in Big Ben. Bradshaw has more or less hated Pittsburgh since he left. I never cared much, but he's getting worse and worse as he ages. He obviously has some issues with his former team.


What is intriguing is that Pittsburgh fans still love Bradshaw. He is a part of their history. They are mystified such a prominent member of the Steel Curtain would turn their back on him.
My favorite Ultimate Steelers Fan, who still has relatives back in Pittsburgh, believes Bradshaw can't get over the current love and devotion to current QB Ben Roethlisberger. And how many Steelers fans believe Roethlisberger is a better QB than Bradshaw.
Which is ignorant and misguided. You don't hear Troy Aikman or Roger Staubach complaining about Tony Romo.

From what I hear, Noll IS the Steelers. Same way Bill Belichick is the Patriots.

[Gunny]

What is intriguing is that Pittsburgh fans still love Bradshaw. He is a part of their history. They are mystified such a prominent member of the Steel Curtain would turn their back on him.
My favorite Ultimate Steelers Fan, who still has relatives back in Pittsburgh, believes Bradshaw can't get over the current love and devotion to current QB Ben Roethlisberger. And how many Steelers fans believe Roethlisberger is a better QB than Bradshaw.
Which is ignorant and misguided. You don't hear Troy Aikman or Roger Staubach complaining about Tony Romo.

From what I hear, Noll IS the Steelers. Same way Bill Belichick is the Patriots.

That is incorrect. Bradshaw's hate affair with the Steelers precedes Big Ben by decades. His problem was with Chuck Noll. And I think I herard he though he wasn't treated fairly by the organization. Whatever.

He was the worst QB in the NFL his first year. He got benched a lot. Terry Hanratty and Joe giliam got as many snaps. It was due to HIS inability. The Steel Curtain made that team. Not Bradshaw. They were like me ... if you can't score on me you ain't doing jack. It begins and ends right here.

The team made Bradshaw. He didn't make the team.

[Elessar]

Bradshaw was and is an ungrateful dumbass. He was useless until Pittsburg built a team around him. Chuck Noll hated him and he hated the team. Noll would bench his ass in a second.

And I have his rookie card, jerk. What you willing to pay? I'd have to find it but I know I got it somewhere. :)

Bradshaw was an over-rated yet successful over achiever.

Had it not been for his excellent offensive line and that superb defense, Bradshaw would be an aforethought.

[Gunny]

Bradshaw was an over-rated yet successful over achiever.

Had it not been for his excellent offensive line and that superb defense, Bradshaw would be an aforethought. I loved the games with them and the Raiders early 70s. I wanted to shoot every Raider on the team. Twice.

My hero is Jack Lambert. That dude is so me it ain't funny. Or else I am so him. I played LB just like him. Your head's coming off, every play. No options available. He would kill you every play.

I do still have my front teeth though.:laugh:

[Elessar]

I loved the games with them and the Raiders early 70s. I wanted to shoot every Raider on the team. Twice.

My hero is Jack Lambert. That dude is so me it ain't funny. Or else I am so him. I played LB just like him. Your head's coming off, every play. No options available. He would kill you every play.

I do still have my front teeth though.:laugh:

You would have loved Sam Huff or Ray Nitschke

[Gunny]

You would have loved Sam Huff or Ray Nitschke

I love both of those guys. I have their football cards too.
And if you want to go real old school, Chuck Bednarik and Dick Butkus, Don't come around here. Clock cleaning in progress. I also remember the Fearsome Foursome from the Rams.

The Cowboys were the worst. Want to talk heroes? Bob Lilly. Mid to late 60s. Might as well make your game plan around him. You ain't running left. Unless you like being buried by a Texas redneck.:laugh:

[Elessar]

I love both of those guys. I have their football cards too.
And if you want to go real old school, Chuck Bednarik and Dick Butkus, Don't come around here. Clock cleaning in progress. I also remember the Fearsome Foursome from the Rams.

The Cowboys were the worst. Want to talk heroes? Bob Lilly. Mid to late 60s. Might as well make your game plan around him. You ain't running left. Unless you like being buried by a Texas redneck.:laugh:

Bob Lilly was a beast. Proto-type defensive tackle and sometimes end!

[jimnyc]

What is intriguing is that Pittsburgh fans still love Bradshaw. He is a part of their history. They are mystified such a prominent member of the Steel Curtain would turn their back on him.
My favorite Ultimate Steelers Fan, who still has relatives back in Pittsburgh, believes Bradshaw can't get over the current love and devotion to current QB Ben Roethlisberger. And how many Steelers fans believe Roethlisberger is a better QB than Bradshaw.
Which is ignorant and misguided. You don't hear Troy Aikman or Roger Staubach complaining about Tony Romo.

From what I hear, Noll IS the Steelers. Same way Bill Belichick is the Patriots.


That is incorrect. Bradshaw's hate affair with the Steelers precedes Big Ben by decades. His problem was with Chuck Noll. And I think I herard he though he wasn't treated fairly by the organization. Whatever.

He was the worst QB in the NFL his first year. He got benched a lot. Terry Hanratty and Joe giliam got as many snaps. It was due to HIS inability. The Steel Curtain made that team. Not Bradshaw. They were like me ... if you can't score on me you ain't doing jack. It begins and ends right here.

The team made Bradshaw. He didn't make the team.

Bradshaw may not be the hugest Big Ben fan, but he does give him kudos when deserved. But his problem started with Noll, and him not liking how Noll treated him like an employee, and less of a friend, and no "hugs". As for the comparison - I absolutely love Ben, and think he's one of the best in the league... but until he wins 4 bowls and 2 MVP's, Bradshaw gets the nod. Ben has been to 3, lost one, 0 MVP's.

And yep, he was guided by the Curtain. BUT, he did develop into a great QB, and had some of the best stats in SB history.

Terry Hanratty - worked in the GM building in New York when I was there. Got him to sign a bunch of things for me.

[jimnyc]

Bradshaw was an over-rated yet successful over achiever.

Had it not been for his excellent offensive line and that superb defense, Bradshaw would be an aforethought.

I hate you!!

[Elessar]

I hate you!!

That does not startle me! I hate everybody equally.

Steelers were always one of my favorites,
I like them.

Lambert, Hamm, Joe, etc.

[jimnyc]

I'm thinking of making the leap....

So my brother john, he's sent a bunch of football cards out in the past of some players, to their stadiums requesting a signature - and they actually signed and sent it back, since he sent pre-paid postage/handling. Imagine sending my helmet and getting a couple of signatures, or even just Ben? Or would they perhaps just toss it out I wonder. That's the worst case, and I guess I can always just buy another. But man, if I were to get Ben, Brown and Bell to sign it? That sucker would be me prized possession for life and not sold EVER!!

[Gunny]

Bradshaw may not be the hugest Big Ben fan, but he does give him kudos when deserved. But his problem started with Noll, and him not liking how Noll treated him like an employee, and less of a friend, and no "hugs". As for the comparison - I absolutely love Ben, and think he's one of the best in the league... but until he wins 4 bowls and 2 MVP's, Bradshaw gets the nod. Ben has been to 3, lost one, 0 MVP's.

And yep, he was guided by the Curtain. BUT, he did develop into a great QB, and had some of the best stats in SB history.

Terry Hanratty - worked in the GM building in New York when I was there. Got him to sign a bunch of things for me.

I give credit where it is due. Bradshaw was like the rest of successful quarterbacks ... his team made him. He came in at the end of the bomber era and he could throw the ball a hundred yards and miss a barn. When they changed the game to ball control and he had receivers that could catch his out of control crap he moved up.

Where he loses with me is he can't shut his damn mouth. We didn't have all this media access in the 70s and didn't know about anything except he was the QB of the Steelers and they were winning. All the whining he has done about the Steelers, Noll and the organization just make him a whiney ungrateful SOB to me. That team made him more than he made that team.

You hear Archie Manning crying? That dude was the NFL's punching bag for a decade or so and he actually carried a really rotten team. It wasn't if the Ain'ts were going to lose, it was how badly. Their fans wore paper bags over their heads and started calling their own team the Ain'ts. Still, Archie would show up and play and get the piss beat out of him and just carry on.

[jimnyc]

Bradshaw's career stats suck compared to today's pass happy football. But Super Bowls? Some food for thought:

Three reasons why Bradshaw is still the greatest Super Bowl quarterback

Terry Bradshaw went 4-0 in Super Bowls. Montana went 4-0 as well. While Brady gets props for winning four, two losses to the G-Men disqualifies the Pats passer. Who was better between Joe Cool and the Blonde Bomber? Here's three reasons that make Bradshaw's case as the best Super Bowl quarterback.

Come Super Bowl time, the "S" on Terry Bradshaw's sideline cap essentially stood for Superman.

The same could be said for former 49ers quarterback Joe Montana, who matched Bradshaw's record of 4-0 in Super Bowl competition a decade after Bradshaw's final Super Bowl win with the Steelers.

For whatever the reason, many Super Bowl "experts" dismiss Bradsahw's Super Bowl performances in favor of Montana's efforts in his Super Bowl triumphs. While Montana was certainly a standout performer on the game's biggest stage, one could make a very strong argument that Bradshaw is still the best Super Bowl quarterback ever.

Here's three reasons that argue Bradshaw's case:

1) Bradshaw faced tougher defenses: The Blonde Bomber faced and defeated Minnesota's famed Purple People Eaters in Super Bowl IX, the Steelers first of four Super Bowl victories in six years. He then defeated the Cowboys' downright scary Doomsday Defense twice, the first time in Super Bowl X and again three years later in Super Bowl XIII. A year after thrashing the Broncos to the tune of 35 passing yards and four interceptions in Super Bowl XII, Dallas was carved up by Bradshaw, who threw for a then-Super Bowl record 318 passing yards to go with four touchdown passes to win the game's MVP. In his final Super Bowl win, Bradshaw threw for 309 yards and two touchdowns against a Rams defense that had allowed just 19 points in its two playoff games prior to Super Bowl XIV.

While the Bengals' defenses of 1981 and '88 were tough, they were nothing like the defenses Bradshaw faced in his four Super Bowl wins. And the 1984 Dolphins defense that Montana carved up in Super Bowl XIX? They allowed 28 points two weeks earlier to a Steelers defense quarterbacked by the immortal Mark Malone. Finally, Montana's 297-yard, five touchdown performance in Super Bowl XXIV was against a dreadful Broncos defense that had allowed 39 and 42 points respectively in their previous two Super Bowls (Super Bowls XXI and XXII).

2) Montana had more help on offense: Bradshaw's running games were downright awful save a few plays in his final three Super Bowl wins. The Steelers averaged just 3.2 yards per carry in Super Bowl X, 2.8 yards a rush in Super Bowl XIII and a futile 2.3 yards a carry in Super Bowl XIV. The 49ers averaged 5.3 and 4.1 yards per rush against the Dolphins and Bengals in Super Bowls XIX and XXIII, and even though their average slipped to 3.3 yards in Super Bowl XXIV, Roger Craig and Tom Rathman combined to rush for a respectable 107 yards on 31 carries with three touchdowns in that game. Simply put, the opposing defenses took away Bradshaw's running games in three of his four Super Bowls. There was less help and more pressure on Bradshaw, especially late in the Super Bowl games, to deliver for his team, and each time, Bradshaw delivered.

3) Bradshaw dominated fourth quarters: Montana threw a total of 22 passes in the fourth quarter in his four Super Bowl victories. Take away his masterful 11-of-14, two touchdown fourth quarter performance in Super Bowl XXIII, Montana threw just eight passes with zero touchdowns in the fourth quarter of Super Bowls, with just one pass having any significance in the game (a 22-yard completion in Super Bowl XVI led to the final three points in the 49ers 26-21 win over Cincinnati). Bradshaw, meanwhile, engineered eight fourth quarter scoring drives in Super Bowl competition that included four game-winning touchdown passes.

Pittsburgh trailed in Super Bowls X and XIV heading into the fourth quarter, in which Bradshaw led five total scoring drives in those games to secure Steelers victories. Bradshaw threw a 61-yard touchdown bomb to Lynn Swann to win Super Bowl X and a 73-yard scoring strike to John Stallworth to put Pittsburgh ahead to stay in Super Bowl XIV. Up 28-17 and looking for the knockout, Bradshaw found Swann for an 18-yard touchdown pass to secure the Steelers' win over Dallas in Super Bowl XIII.

To further strengthen Bradshaw's case is the fact that Montana enjoyed the comfort of Bill Walsh's West Coast Offense that was predicated on short, precise, high-percentage pass plays that resulted in Montana's longest Super Bowl pass being just 44 yards. Bradshaw, on the other hand, took his changes (and succeed) by throwing deep into the heart of the defenses in his final three Super Bowl wins. Bradshaw completed four passes that were caught 40 yards past the line of scrimmage in those games, which excludes Stallworth's 75-yard touchdown in the second quarter of Super Bowl XIII that was caught about 12 yards past the line of scrimmage.

While Montana was pure magic while directing the 11-play, 92-yard game-winning drive in Super Bowl XXIII that culminated in his 10-yard, game-winning touchdown pass to John Taylor with 34 seconds remaining, Bradshaw was (and needed to be) masterful in all four of his Super Bowl games in the fourth quarters, which is the most compelling reason why he still remains the best Super Bowl quarterback.

http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/pittsburgh-steelers-opinions-reactions-news-updates/2015/2/4/7972499/terry-bradshaw-steelers-super-bowl-tom-brady-patriots

[Gunny]

Bradshaw's career stats suck compared to today's pass happy football. But Super Bowls? Some food for thought:

Three reasons why Bradshaw is still the greatest Super Bowl quarterback

Terry Bradshaw went 4-0 in Super Bowls. Montana went 4-0 as well. While Brady gets props for winning four, two losses to the G-Men disqualifies the Pats passer. Who was better between Joe Cool and the Blonde Bomber? Here's three reasons that make Bradshaw's case as the best Super Bowl quarterback.

Come Super Bowl time, the "S" on Terry Bradshaw's sideline cap essentially stood for Superman.

The same could be said for former 49ers quarterback Joe Montana, who matched Bradshaw's record of 4-0 in Super Bowl competition a decade after Bradshaw's final Super Bowl win with the Steelers.

For whatever the reason, many Super Bowl "experts" dismiss Bradsahw's Super Bowl performances in favor of Montana's efforts in his Super Bowl triumphs. While Montana was certainly a standout performer on the game's biggest stage, one could make a very strong argument that Bradshaw is still the best Super Bowl quarterback ever.

Here's three reasons that argue Bradshaw's case:

1) Bradshaw faced tougher defenses: The Blonde Bomber faced and defeated Minnesota's famed Purple People Eaters in Super Bowl IX, the Steelers first of four Super Bowl victories in six years. He then defeated the Cowboys' downright scary Doomsday Defense twice, the first time in Super Bowl X and again three years later in Super Bowl XIII. A year after thrashing the Broncos to the tune of 35 passing yards and four interceptions in Super Bowl XII, Dallas was carved up by Bradshaw, who threw for a then-Super Bowl record 318 passing yards to go with four touchdown passes to win the game's MVP. In his final Super Bowl win, Bradshaw threw for 309 yards and two touchdowns against a Rams defense that had allowed just 19 points in its two playoff games prior to Super Bowl XIV.

While the Bengals' defenses of 1981 and '88 were tough, they were nothing like the defenses Bradshaw faced in his four Super Bowl wins. And the 1984 Dolphins defense that Montana carved up in Super Bowl XIX? They allowed 28 points two weeks earlier to a Steelers defense quarterbacked by the immortal Mark Malone. Finally, Montana's 297-yard, five touchdown performance in Super Bowl XXIV was against a dreadful Broncos defense that had allowed 39 and 42 points respectively in their previous two Super Bowls (Super Bowls XXI and XXII).

2) Montana had more help on offense: Bradshaw's running games were downright awful save a few plays in his final three Super Bowl wins. The Steelers averaged just 3.2 yards per carry in Super Bowl X, 2.8 yards a rush in Super Bowl XIII and a futile 2.3 yards a carry in Super Bowl XIV. The 49ers averaged 5.3 and 4.1 yards per rush against the Dolphins and Bengals in Super Bowls XIX and XXIII, and even though their average slipped to 3.3 yards in Super Bowl XXIV, Roger Craig and Tom Rathman combined to rush for a respectable 107 yards on 31 carries with three touchdowns in that game. Simply put, the opposing defenses took away Bradshaw's running games in three of his four Super Bowls. There was less help and more pressure on Bradshaw, especially late in the Super Bowl games, to deliver for his team, and each time, Bradshaw delivered.

3) Bradshaw dominated fourth quarters: Montana threw a total of 22 passes in the fourth quarter in his four Super Bowl victories. Take away his masterful 11-of-14, two touchdown fourth quarter performance in Super Bowl XXIII, Montana threw just eight passes with zero touchdowns in the fourth quarter of Super Bowls, with just one pass having any significance in the game (a 22-yard completion in Super Bowl XVI led to the final three points in the 49ers 26-21 win over Cincinnati). Bradshaw, meanwhile, engineered eight fourth quarter scoring drives in Super Bowl competition that included four game-winning touchdown passes.

Pittsburgh trailed in Super Bowls X and XIV heading into the fourth quarter, in which Bradshaw led five total scoring drives in those games to secure Steelers victories. Bradshaw threw a 61-yard touchdown bomb to Lynn Swann to win Super Bowl X and a 73-yard scoring strike to John Stallworth to put Pittsburgh ahead to stay in Super Bowl XIV. Up 28-17 and looking for the knockout, Bradshaw found Swann for an 18-yard touchdown pass to secure the Steelers' win over Dallas in Super Bowl XIII.

To further strengthen Bradshaw's case is the fact that Montana enjoyed the comfort of Bill Walsh's West Coast Offense that was predicated on short, precise, high-percentage pass plays that resulted in Montana's longest Super Bowl pass being just 44 yards. Bradshaw, on the other hand, took his changes (and succeed) by throwing deep into the heart of the defenses in his final three Super Bowl wins. Bradshaw completed four passes that were caught 40 yards past the line of scrimmage in those games, which excludes Stallworth's 75-yard touchdown in the second quarter of Super Bowl XIII that was caught about 12 yards past the line of scrimmage.

While Montana was pure magic while directing the 11-play, 92-yard game-winning drive in Super Bowl XXIII that culminated in his 10-yard, game-winning touchdown pass to John Taylor with 34 seconds remaining, Bradshaw was (and needed to be) masterful in all four of his Super Bowl games in the fourth quarters, which is the most compelling reason why he still remains the best Super Bowl quarterback.

http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/pittsburgh-steelers-opinions-reactions-news-updates/2015/2/4/7972499/terry-bradshaw-steelers-super-bowl-tom-brady-patriots

Dude, who are you trying to sell to? Remember me? The older than dirt guy? I been watching the Steelers since before your ass was in diapers. I know what Bradshaw did. I watched every game in living black and white. Watched every Dolphins game and as many Cowboys games as I could.

Tom Brady is a crybaby. He spends more time whining to the officials than he does playing the game. I got no use for people like that.

Same with Bradshaw. He's a crybaby.