Terry Bradshaw Reveals Battle with Depression and Anxiety Attacks
The NFL legend details his struggles with mental health in his new book, 'Looking for Terry'.
Legendary former NFL quarterback Terry Bradshaw, 78, has publicly shared his experiences with depression and anxiety attacks, detailing these challenges in his new book, 'Looking for Terry.' Bradshaw, a four-time Super Bowl champion with the Pittsburgh Steelers, revealed that he had undiagnosed ADHD and later suffered from crippling anxiety.
In an interview with People, Bradshaw reflected on the emotional highs and lows he experienced throughout his NFL career, noting that such issues were not openly discussed in locker rooms during that era. He was diagnosed with depression in the late 1990s, after retiring from football, describing it as "an ugly disease."
Bradshaw credited his wife, Tammy, for her support during difficult periods. "She just gets me out of it. She gets my mind off of it. She frees me up," he said. "We do something. We talk about it." He emphasized the importance of open communication, stating, "I may be emotional about it, but I'm totally comfortable with telling her." Bradshaw stressed that mental health struggles are a sickness, not a weakness, and that admitting to having issues is acceptable.
Beyond his personal health journey, Bradshaw also addressed his continued role as a broadcaster. Despite some fan calls for his retirement from Fox NFL Sunday, where he has been a fixture since 1994, Bradshaw has extended his contract. He expressed nervousness about his contract status this year but ultimately signed for two more years, covering through the Super Bowl in February 2029, when he will be 80 years old. "I love my job," Bradshaw told the Los Angeles Times. "I want to be relevant. I want to be good. I want to continue on. I want America to [tune in] and watch me. I want them to [like] me. I can't wait to do the show."
His colleague, Jimmy Johnson, retired from broadcasting in 2025 at the age of 81. Bradshaw acknowledged the arrival of younger talent but expressed his desire to remain a part of the broadcasting landscape.