Broadcaster and NFL legend Terry Bradshaw opened up recently about his cancer battle, crediting his Christian faith for giving him the strength needed to navigate uncertainty.
“I wasn’t scared,” Bradshaw, diagnosed months ago with bladder cancer and a Merkel cell tumor, told NBC’s “Today.” “I don’t know why I never was scared.”
The 74-year-old invoked his Christian faith and said it gave him comfort, regardless of what might unfold.
“As a man of faith, as a Christian, my attitude was, ‘Well, if I go, I’m OK. If I stay, I’m OK,’” Bradshaw said.
He told fans last month about his cancer diagnosis after an on-air incident during which he struggled to breathe. That initial health episode, which aired in September, sparked questions and critique.
“I couldn’t breathe. That’s when everybody notices. ‘What’s wrong with him?’ Social media went, ‘Get rid of him. He needs to be off the air. He’s an embarrassment,’” Bradshaw explained. “And I was like, ‘Embarrassment? I got cancer.’”
The Super Bowl champ said he hadn’t told people about his cancer journey up to that point, because he “didn’t want pity” and because other people have their own struggles.
When NBC’s Harry Smith told Bradshaw he is “bigger than life,” the broadcaster quipped, “Well, cancer didn’t think so.”
“I don’t think cancer cares,” he said. “Listen, cancer shows no favoritism.”
Pray for Bradshaw — who did announce Oct. 2 he’s now cancer free — and his family as they continue to journey through the healing process.