Terry Bradshaw found himself apologizing live on air for yet another blunder during Sunday’s broadcast, adding to a growing list of slip-ups this season that have prompted many fans to question his place on Fox Sports’ NFL coverage team.
The 76-year-old former NFL quarterback, who has been a familiar face on Fox Sports for years, has experienced a string of on-air gaffes this year that have left some fans calling for his retirement. Bradshaw, known for his successful playing career with the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he led the team to four Super Bowl victories, has been under increasing scrutiny.
Earlier in the year, he faced backlash for doing a controversial North Carolina accent following Hurricane Helene, a move that many found insensitive. He also stirred controversy with his blunt “put him down” comment about Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson, leading to renewed calls from viewers for him to step down.
This past Sunday, Bradshaw added another mistake to the list when he forgot that Rob Gronkowski is a full-time analyst for Fox Sports. During the broadcast, Bradshaw incorrectly assumed that Gronkowski was just filling in for Jimmy Johnson, the 81-year-old former head coach of the Dallas Cowboys.
In the exchange, Bradshaw mistakenly said, “The guy whose seat you’re sitting in right now, filling in for… Jimmy Johnson.” Gronkowski, who has been part of the Fox Sports team full-time for a couple of years now, corrected Bradshaw, prompting an apology.
Realizing his mistake, Bradshaw admitted, “Okay, I made a mistake. All right, all right, I apologize, Gronk, you know I love you.” While the apology was lighthearted, it was clear that the mistake added to the mounting concerns about Bradshaw’s ability to continue in his role.
NFL fans took to social media to weigh in on Bradshaw’s latest on-air flub and his subsequent apology. Reactions were mixed, with some defending the legendary broadcaster’s charm, while others were less forgiving.
“Terry’s popularity has never been his intellect, nor his insight into the game as an analyst. It’s always been his personality!” one fan wrote, suggesting that Bradshaw’s charisma was what kept fans entertained despite his occasional missteps.
Others were more critical of Bradshaw’s continued presence on the show. “I tune in for stats and a little camaraderie. Bradshaw doesn’t even know he’s there anymore. I can only assume that the network can’t remove him because of his contract, which can’t end soon enough,” another fan commented.
Concerns about Bradshaw’s cognitive health were also voiced by some viewers. “I love Terry, but this is how Alzheimer’s/dementia starts. He probably can do the job for another season, maybe two, but he might think about retiring sometime in the near future. I still can’t believe Corso is still doing Gameday. He was really bad 3-4 seasons ago at the Army/Navy game,” one fan noted, drawing parallels between Bradshaw and other aging sports personalities who have faced similar challenges.
“This seems to be happening more and more with Terry. He may want to think hard about quiet retirement – soon,” added another fan, echoing the sentiments of those who believe it might be time for Bradshaw to step away from the limelight.
Bradshaw’s legacy in the NFL is undeniable—he’s a legend both on and off the field. But the growing frequency of these mistakes has led many to question if it’s time for him to call it a career as a broadcaster. Even some of his fellow NFL quarterback greats are starting to express their concerns.
Boomer Esiason, former NFL quarterback and current analyst, shared his thoughts on Bradshaw’s recent struggles. “I worked up against them for the last 22 years, I haven’t seen a lot of their show,” Esiason said earlier this year. “Obviously, I see it during the Super Bowl or when there’s one game for a playoff game, but I felt like it was a little disconcerting yesterday. I was worried about him. Is that the way it’s been?”
With Bradshaw’s recent blunders becoming more frequent, the question on many fans’ minds is: What should Fox Sports do? Should they allow him to finish out his career on his own terms, or is it time for the network to make a change?
While Bradshaw’s charm and humor have long endeared him to audiences, the increasing frequency of his on-air mistakes may suggest it’s time for a transition. For now, it remains to be seen how Fox Sports will handle the situation and what the future holds for Terry Bradshaw.
