Terry Bradshaw's Real Name: Terry Paxton Bradshaw

Quick answer: The former quarterback is known as Terry Bradshaw. Encyclopaedia Britannica lists his full name as Terry Paxton Bradshaw and gives his birth date as September 2, 1948, in Shreveport, Louisiana. The Pro Football Hall of Fame independently gives the same birth date and city, and a Library of Congress name record also carries the form Terry Paxton Bradshaw.

Real name and early life

Britannica lists Terry Paxton Bradshaw as his full name and says he was born on September 2, 1948, in Shreveport, Louisiana. The Pro Football Hall of Fame's biography gives "Sept. 2, 1948, in Shreveport." The Library of Congress authority file records the heading form "Bradshaw, Terry Paxton (1948-)" from a reference source, plus a book note with the same birth date.

Britannica says he was a highly prized recruit who turned down Louisiana State University to attend the smaller Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, about 70 miles from home, where he broke the school's major passing records. The Hall of Fame says most pro scouts considered him the best college senior in the country.

Career highlights

Both sources say the Pittsburgh Steelers took him with the first overall pick in the 1970 NFL draft. Britannica says he became the full-time starter in his second season, struggled with accuracy, and was briefly demoted to backup early in 1974 before winning the job back. The Hall of Fame says it took him a few seasons to adjust and that he called his own plays throughout his career.

Both sources say he led Pittsburgh to four Super Bowl titles. Britannica dates the games to 1975, 1976, 1979, and 1980; the Hall of Fame describes the same run as four titles in six seasons from 1974 to 1979. Both say he was named the league's Most Valuable Player in 1978, and both say he was Super Bowl MVP twice; the Hall of Fame names Super Bowls XIII and XIV.

The Hall of Fame gives his career totals as 2,025 completions in 3,901 attempts for 27,989 yards and 212 touchdowns over 14 seasons, with three Pro Bowl selections. Britannica says he retired after the 1983 season and entered the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1989.

Life after football

Britannica says he became a prominent television football analyst, acted in television and film, and had some success as a gospel and country singer. It also notes the family reality series The Bradshaw Bunch (2020) and the memoir It's Only a Game (2001), written with David Fisher.

Name notes for searchers

People looking up Terry Bradshaw or Terry Paxton Bradshaw are looking for the same Steelers quarterback and broadcaster.