Terry Bradshaw left confused after FOX Sports released NFL icon

NFL icon Terry Bradshaw has expressed his surprise over FOX's decision to let go of Dave Wannstedt, the former head coach of the Chicago Bears and Miami Dolphins. Wannstedt, who made the switch to NBC in 2023, is now hosting Pro Football Weekly on NBC Sports Chicago.

Despite being known for his coaching prowess, including a Super Bowl XXVII win in 1992 with the Dallas Cowboys, it was Wannstedt's broadcasting talents that caught Bradshaw's attention.

In a conversation with Lou Canellis on FOX 32 Chicago, Bradshaw revealed his close relationship with Wannstedt and his confusion at FOX's move. "He [Wannstedt] and I are big, big buddies, especially during football season as he gives me all my [Chicago] Bear insight stuff," he remarked.

"He's really good, I'm shocked that FOX didn't keep him, he was so good, I don't understand television obviously, but he is one of my favorite people, top five guys.

"He calls me 'Terr' - nobody calls me 'Terr'. I'm 'TB', I'm the 'blonde bomber', I'm 'Bub', but not 'Terr' - [but he's] a good man!"

Wannstedt had been with FOX since 2014, contributing to FOX NFL Kick-off on Sunday mornings throughout the NFL season, before leaving the network two years ago.

Following in the footsteps of Wannstedt, broadcasting veteran Bradshaw swapped his football helmet for a television career. The 76-year-old joined FOX's NFL Today in 1990 before appearing on FOX NFL Sunday in 1994, quickly becoming the face of the show.

Despite his status as a favourite among viewers, Bradshaw's recent on-air slip-ups have not gone unnoticed, raising questions over his future in broadcasting.

Rumours are swirling that the NFL icon may be close to calling time on his TV tenure. Speaking on the matter previously, Bradshaw said: "I'm 76. It's a young man's game, I get that.

"Everybody wants the new thing. So I said if we can get to the next Super Bowl [that FOX covers], I'll be 80. I think that's time and that's 80 years old and that's pushing it."

Bradshaw was the No.1 pick in the 1970 NFL draft, and guided the Pittsburgh Steelers to four Super Bowl wins. During his career from 1970 to 1983, he won two Super Bowl MVP titles and an NFL Most Valuable Player award.

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