Pittsburgh Steelers legendary quarterback Terry Bradshaw won four Super Bowls for the franchise in the 1970s. However, sometimes Bradshaw finds himself in the spotlight in his post-playing days, as he has a tendency to be vocal and brutally honest about how he feels. That was the case recently when Bradshaw had a frustrating experience while traveling and didn’t hold back from letting the world know about it.
Ric Tapia / Associated Press
Steelers' former quarterback Terry Bradshaw sits down on the broadcasting stand while giving commentary about the NFL for Fox Sports.
While flying out of Springfield-Branson National Airport in Missouri on Monday morning, the 76-year-old Hall of Fame quarterback was stopped by TSA for an additional security screening. Bradshaw, clearly unhappy with how the situation unfolded, later took to his official Facebook page to air his frustrations. According to Bradshaw, the search felt unnecessary and intrusive, especially given his age and well-known public profile.
In the Facebook post, Bradshaw expressed his disappointment with the way TSA handled the situation, stating that he felt disrespected and singled out. Though he didn’t go into specific detail about what triggered the extra search, the tone of his message made it clear that he was angry and embarrassed by the experience. As always, Bradshaw didn’t hold back, and his rant quickly gained attention from fans and media alike.
"I'm not against being safe, but…This is ridiculous!! TSA approved, had the body pat down, all the luggage checked, and unpacked item by item," Bradshaw said. "Now, I am going into a private room for another pat down. Come on, Springfield, how many criminals come through here???? I guess I look like one today!!!"
Kristy Granados, a commenter on Bradshaw’s Facebook post, replied with a respectful explanation of why TSA may have conducted the additional screening. She defended the agents’ actions as standard procedure and emphasized the importance of safety. Bradshaw took the time to respond directly, making it clear that he understood the need for security measures and wasn’t opposed to being screened.
AP Photo
Former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Terry Bradshaw attempts pass against the Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl XIII. The Steelers won 35-31.
However, Bradshaw wanted to ensure his side of the story was fully understood. He emphasized that his frustration wasn’t with the screening itself, but with how excessive and uncomfortable the process felt. At 76 years old, he felt the treatment was over the top, especially given the lack of explanation during the moment.
"I was not against the screening," Bradshaw said. "It was the excessive pat down followed by a second pat down and then unpacking my bags item by item…. I travel every week to multiple cities and no other TSA group has ever been like this."
Bradshaw's response struck a more measured tone than his initial post, as he clarified he wasn’t attacking TSA or the agents personally. Instead, he simply wanted to shed light on what he believed was an unnecessarily harsh experience. His willingness to engage with commenters showed that, while outspoken, he still values fairness and open conversation.
Steelers' Terry Bradshaw Always Has Some Interesting Flights
Back in April 2025, Bradshaw found himself in another unexpected travel situation—this time in the air. During a flight from Dallas-Fort Worth to Pittsburgh, the front cabin door became jammed before takeoff, causing concern among the crew and passengers. According to a report from the pilot, it was Bradshaw who stepped in and used his strength to help unjam the door.
Associated Press
Steelers' Terry Bradshaw talks while on stage.
Bradshaw, who was seated in the front row of the aircraft, didn’t hesitate to lend a hand when the issue arose. Despite being 76 years old, the Hall of Famer’s quick thinking and physical effort reportedly helped resolve the problem and allowed the flight to continue on schedule. Witnesses on board were surprised but impressed by the former quarterback’s hands-on approach.
The flight was taking Bradshaw to Pittsburgh, where he was scheduled to attend a celebrity roast honoring his former teammate and longtime friend, Mel Blount. The story quickly made the rounds among Steelers fans, adding yet another memorable moment to Bradshaw’s already legendary status—this time not on the football field, but in the aisle of a commercial airplane.
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