"I always wanted everyone to like me. I wanted the city of Pittsburgh to be proud of me. But my first few seasons, I used to count the number of people on my bandwagon on one finger. I had people call me a dummy and a hick. I had a lady stop me outside the stadium and tell me I stunk. I heard the people cheer when I got hurt. Rub up against enough briar patches and your hide will get pretty tough. Mine did."
|
|
Perhaps no Steelers player has ever had more of a "love-hate" relationship with fans than Terry Bradshaw. Terry was booed vigorously by fickle fans in Pittsburgh for the 1st five years of his career... funny, nobody is booing now. 4 Super Bowl Titles, 2 Super Bowl MVPs, 2 Team MVPs, 1 League MVP, and numerous Pro Bowl appearances ulitmately silenced Terry's critics. But Bradshaw, who is unquestionably one of the greatest Steelers of all time, has not returned to Pittsburgh since his retirement in the preseason of 1984. The reason is simple... for Terry, the echos of the boos still linger.
|
The following articles are listed in the order they were received (with the most recent entries at the top). This isn't a "guestbook" format... I read and manually insert every message, so you may not see your submission show up immediately. Thanks a million for your comments, people! Go Steelers!!! Keith Gillilan Because I'm from Latrobe, I would see Steelers all the time. Franco Harris used to go to my cousin's house. And I have autographs from a lot of the big name players from the 70's -- Harris, Swann, Lambert, Mean Joe Green -- but Terry's is the one that means the most to me. I always wonder if he remembers the little McDonald's incident, because it's something I'll never forget. Thank you, Terry Bradshaw -- for the winning, the playing, and the memories.  Man what a Christmas it was for me. First of all, I am stationed overseas at Aviano AB. Italy and this past week we had a little USO visit. When I heard that Terry Bradshaw was going to be there, I knew we wouldn't miss this one. We got there early and got seats in the front row. The MC for the night was Downtown Julie Brown and she was picking kids from the audience to help her introduce the stars. My youngest son (Jaylon) was picked for the greatest honor of all. He got to introduce the one and only T.B. as the greatest football player ever. When Terry came out he shook my son's hand and said, "Here, kid (handing my son an autographed football)... I ain't suppose to give this to ya', but since you knew exactly who I am, you can keep this." I was beside myself! Here was my son meeting one of my idols (and one of the greatest Steelers ever). I can tell you, we had quite a night! He even was picked by one of the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders (the only part of the Cryboys I like) to come on stage and dance with her. I am sending a picture of this momentus moment in my life, and if Terry is out there, thanks a million for the much needed moral boost! Everyone on base is still talking about it.
Butch #1 fan, Lois Nippo When I saw you on TV at the Tom Landry Memorial Service, it made me feel so proud. I remember the games that the Cowboys played in Pittsburgh when you scalded Dallas and went on to win the Superbowl. All of us in Dallas thought you were one of the greatest quarterbacks ever to play against us and enjoyed your sportsmanship and ability. You were indeed a very noticed adversary at the Memorial Service and I know that all of Dallas very much appreciated your being there. Best Regards, Bill Sampert Dallas - A Pittsburgh boy who used to watch Booth Lustig kick paper cups into the net on the sidelines. I just wanted to tell you that the commercial that you do for 10-10-321 is really stupid and it makes you look really stupid. I can't believe that you could allow yourself to be so demeaned. [Ed. Note: Listen, underpants, do you REALLY think Terry Bradshaw actually has anything to do with our piddly little site? This is a FAN tribute, you moron. Furthermore, that 10-10-321 comercial is great.] With Gratitude, Brett Cannon The only thing left is for me is to meet you and get an autographed jersey to frame next to my #12 college jersey. I wasn't a math major, but I do know 12 + 88 = 6. From one #12 to another, thank you for giving me an idol that was a great athlete as well as a great person. Thank you, and I'll be watching you on FOX. Larry D. I was surprised when I read that Terry got a hard time from Pittsburgh fans, because everyone in our house thought he was THE BEST QUARTERBACK who ever lived! My mom and I always thought he was cute. I read that Terry has never been back to Pittsburgh since he retired. Well, I've never been back since we moved and I'm not missing anything... except the pride of a city in its team, AND Bradshaw, Swann, Franco, Lambert, Blier, Chuck Knoll and the entire team that gave a city champions it will never see the likes of again. Thank you Terry! Nola Sayne I am such a big fan and I am so proud to have the same last name as you. My mom has been in love with you and your self-achieving goals in football. She would do anything to get at least a letter from you. I was hoping we could write to each other back and forth. You are my inspiration and my main goal in life but the only problem is I am a girl and can't play football. If you could please respond to me I would so happy and I could show my mom how much her fan cares. Thank you for your time, Kina Louise Hoffman Bradshaw P.S.-- By the way, are you related to Bryn Bradshaw? I hope you (haha). That's my dad. You probably aren't, but that is so cool to have the sam name as you. Your #1 biggest fans! STEELERS FOREVER! Nat La Borde In January of 1996, I had one of the biggest thrills of my life because I got to meet Terry Bradshaw in person. It was at a sports banquet here in West Virginia. Terry was the featured speaker at that time and he gave one of the most inspirational speeches that I've ever heard in my life! After the speech, Terry held an autograph signing and I just happened to have my authentic Steeler game helmet with me to be signed. I waited in a very long line to get Terry's autograph only to get about four feet away from him and then listened in horror as his publisist says thats it (NO MORE AUTOGRAPHS). Terry got up and waved to the fans and walked out of the auditorium. I could not believe what I was seeing! I was standing close enough to reach out and touch him and now he was leaving. This could not happen to me and I would not allow it to happen. Not on this day anyway. With my helmet tucked under my arm, I took off and followed Terry out of the auditorium, and after I got by two different security guards, I finally caught up to the man I idolized all my life. I literaly grabbed him by his left arm and begged hm to sign my helmet. Terry was only a few feet from walking out the back door of the building and this was a restricted area off limits to the public. Yet when I explained my situation to him and told him that I followed his entire career he immediately stopped and took the helmet in hand and signed his name. He could have easily had me thrown out and never given it a second thought, but he didn't. That's the type of man that Terry Bradshaw is and thats the type of memory I will have for the rest of my life. Tom Bragg zrelak188@aol.com |
|---|
E-mail us at:
mcmillenandwife@hotmail.com
Page created by McMillen and Wife, copyright 1999.