Veteran sports broadcaster and NFL Hall of Famer Terry Bradshaw was notably absent from the Fox NFL Sunday pregame show on Week 11, sparking immediate concern amongst the programme's devoted viewers.
Unexpected Absence and On-Air Explanations
The 77-year-old Pittsburgh Steelers legend was sent home from the set after arriving for work while unwell. His absence left the show to be anchored by the trio of Curt Menefee, Howie Long, and Michael Strahan. Host Menefee addressed the situation on air, stating, 'Terry Bradshaw is not with us. He came to work sick this morning so decided to go home.'
However, Strahan quickly offered a humorous correction, laughing and disputing that version of events. 'He decided to go home? We sent him home,' the New York Giants icon clarified, providing a lighter moment during the broadcast.
Fan Fears and Social Media Reassurance
Bradshaw's disappearance from the popular programme led to widespread speculation and worry on social media, with many fans questioning his whereabouts and overall health. These concerns have been mounting in recent years due to some of his on-air appearances.
The analyst himself later took to Instagram to quell the fears. Against a colourful background, he penned a reassuring message to his followers: 'Just in case you notice, won't be on Fox today. Just have a cold. All good.' This direct communication from the broadcaster confirmed his absence was due to a minor illness and not a more serious health issue.
A Pattern of Concerning On-Air Moments
Bradshaw's absence and the subsequent fan reaction come amid multiple calls from viewers for him to retire. This follows several incidents that have sparked concern over his broadcasting capabilities.
Most notably, during a broadcast last month, Bradshaw left his colleagues stunned by telling a bizarre story about mistakenly texting someone selling pigs, believing he was communicating with Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid. The odd tangent left Strahan visibly speechless and the incident quickly went viral.
In another recent gaffe, Bradshaw struggled to pronounce the name of star running back DeonDre Swift, initially referring to him as 'Deonday... DeAndre Smith' before being corrected. These episodes have led to some ruthless comparisons on social media and intensified discussions about his future in television.
Despite these recent challenges, Terry Bradshaw has been a mainstay on Fox's NFL programming for over 30 years, having joined the network in 1994 after a decade with CBS following his retirement from professional football in 1984.
