Terry Bradshaw, the esteemed FOX NFL Sunday analyst and former quarterback, has shared a poignant reflection on his broadcasting career, acknowledging that it will be a “sad time” when he eventually has to hang up his microphone. 

During an appearance on Dale Brisby’s Rodeo Time podcast, the four-time Super Bowl winner expressed his passion for sports commentary. Yet, he also acknowledged the inevitable reality that he’ll have to step down once his performance wanes.

Having graced American television for over 40 years, Bradshaw has become a familiar face to viewers, despite recent criticisms over some on-air mistakes. The 72-year-old showed remarkable openness about his role and his bond with his colleagues at FOX NFL Sunday.

“I love the commentating, I absolutely love it and I cannot wait to get to work Sunday,” Bradshaw said. “I’ve been doing it 43, 44 years and the guys I’m working with, man, you (Talking to the host of the show, Brisby) would love it. It’s a locker room atmosphere for us and we all love and care about one another.

“Everybody is happy for everybody’s success, whether it’s Howie (Long) doing sneaker commercials or movies or Michael (Strahan) with ‘Good Morning America’, you know, whatever it doesn’t matter, you know Curt (Menefee) is now with Fox in New York City hosting the morning show, so it’s so much fun. And then you know it’s a one hour show then you watch football all day, and you do highlights, half-time, Super Bowls, play-off games, I mean we do some amazing things at Fox.”

Despite his reputation as a beloved figure in NFL history, the ex-Pittsburgh Steelers icon candidly expressed that when he begins to mix up simple details on the air, like forgetting team names, he’s aware that this could signify the end of his run. However, he remains optimistic about his tenure at FOX and revealed he’s not quite ready to hang up his hat, reports the Mirror US.

“You know what man, I don’t know when that time comes when then they say to me, you know ‘happy trails'”, he said. “Yeah man you want to say that’s never going to happen.

“But I guess when the Cowboys are playing the New York Giants and you go, ‘Well uh… uh today we have uh… uh, our number one game today as you well know, it’s this huge game between… uh… you know they are really doing good right now (mimics someone telling him ‘Dallas’ off mic) Dallas!’ Yeah, you can see that you’re pretty much gone. That hasn’t happened yet. But, you know what, when you realise that the time has come, that’s a sad time.”

Bradshaw’s rapport with fans has been put to the test lately, and Tom Brady’s emergence as a rival analyst has increased the pressure. The former New England Patriots star has secured a lucrative deal, which has led to speculation about Bradshaw’s future.

In an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel earlier this year, Bradshaw acknowledged that Brady’s arrival could potentially mark the end of his time with the network, saying: “If I can keep my health together, I love what I’m doing. But we all get old and we’re going to get kicked out. I’m not looking over my shoulder, but [Tom] Brady is coming in for $37.5million.”

However, Bradshaw’s recent gaffes have convinced some viewers that his time is running out. One notable mistake involved him incorrectly giving the Kansas City Chiefs a winning record over the Bills with Patrick Mahomes as quarterback, contradicting his earlier point about Buffalo’s dominance in the fixture.

In another bizarre incident, Bradshaw stunned his colleagues by attributing the New Orleans Saints’ seven-game losing streak to supernatural forces. The calls for Bradshaw to step down have been growing louder, with former sports anchor Mark Giangreco claiming that he often needs to be “bailed” out by his colleagues.

“Terry Bradshaw stumbling thru the hilites was funny and folksy at first now it’s really aggravating, uncomfortable and annoying, falling behind and mispronouncing until Curt Menefee has to take over and bail him out,” Giangreco wrote on X. “It’s sad. I love the original TB. Save him from the embarrassment.”