While Terry Bradshaw has become synonymous with Fox, he began his broadcasting career with CBS Sports.
Following his retirement in 1984, the longtime Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback initially called games alongside play-by-play announcer Verne Lundquist before shifting into a television studio analyst role for CBS’ The NFL Today in 1990. For the next four years, he was paired with Greg Gumbel before leaving for Fox.
Bradshaw reflected on his time with Gumbel on Sunday following Friday’s news that the 78-year-old longtime CBS broadcaster had died following a battle with cancer.
Terry Bradshaw expresses his gratitude for Greg Gumbel on “Fox NFL Sunday”pic.twitter.com/fDBO6pLMMr
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) December 29, 2024
“I actually can say that I owe my pregame career to Greg Gumbel because when CBS rebuilt [The NFL Today] show, they called me and said Greg Gumbel is gonna be the host of the show. I had met Greg at meetings but I’d never worked with him. Then after working with him at the CBS show that morning and spending four years with him we became really good friends. Fun guy, loved The Rolling Stones, great sense of humor, and he taught me so much about doing this show. And so I missed him for so many years and his tragic departure from this world is something that touches a lot of lives and it certainly touched mine, so, rest in peace, Greg Gumbel. I miss you, buddy.”
Bradshaw’s was one of many tributes from Gumbel’s colleagues, broadcasters he inspired, and the companies he worked for in recent days following the news of his passing.
About Sean Keeley
Along with writing for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, Sean is the Managing Editor for Comeback Media. Previously, he created the Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and wrote 'How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way to Brainwash Your Child Into Rooting for Syracuse.' He has also written non-Syracuse-related things for SB Nation, Curbed, and other outlets. He currently lives in Seattle where he is complaining about bagels. Send tips/comments/complaints to sean@thecomeback.com.