Shreveport’s Terry Bradshaw Rips Aaron Rodgers After ‘I Don’t Want to Live in Louisiana’ Comment

Hall of Fame quarterback Terry Bradshaw doesn't have trouble with public speaking. The Shreveport native is rarely, if ever, lost for words. Which is perfect for him, since he's been a fixture of NFL broadcasts since the year he retired, which was 1984.

So he's constantly paying attention to the league, and when he has something to say about what's happening in the NFL, he will. Which includes keeping tabs on his old NFL team, the Pittsburgh Steelers, and their search for a quarterback.

Terry Bradshaw's Unfiltered Thoughts on the NFL Quarterback Carousel

For the last few months, former 4-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers has been linked to multiple teams. The New York Jets informed him that he will not be returning to their squad, and Rodgers indicated he was ready to keep playing at the age of 41, so it was a wide open free agent period.

Teams like the Minnesota Vikings and the Las Vegas Raiders were rumored to be in on the Rodgers sweepstakes, but those teams kept falling off the list. But there has been one team with constant mild, mutual, interest. Which is Terry Bradshaw's former team, the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Steelers moved off veteran quarterback Russell Wilson, who had helped guide them to a playoff appearance. He would go 20-29 with 270 yards and two touchdowns (zero interceptions) in that playoff game. But the Steelers would lose, ending Wilson's time there. He left for the New York Giants in March.

The Steelers drafted Will Howard in the 6th round of the NFL Draft, and have Mason Rudolph on their roster, but have no real starting-quality quarterback on their roster without Russell.

Why Aaron Rodgers to Pittsburgh Is "Just a Joke" to Bradshaw

This whole scenario has Terry Bradshaw a little bent. This week, Bradshaw was doing a radio interview in Arkansas when the topic of the Pittsburgh Steelers and quarterback Aaron Rodgers came up.

Bradshaw didn't hold back on Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers, telling the radio show:

"That's a joke. That to me is just a joke....What are you gonna do? Bring him in for one year, are you kidding me? That guy needs to stay in California. Go somewhere and chew on bark and whisper to the gods out there."

During the interview, Bradshaw talked up former Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett, and how poorly the franchise treated him. Showing he's well aware of what's been going on in Pittsburgh.

Is Rodgers' Louisiana Snub Fueling Bradshaw's Fire?

But you have to wonder, if the shot at Rodgers wasn't brought out of Bradshaw because of his delay in signing with the team, or if maybe Bradshaw's Louisiana roots were showing.

Last Friday, 3-4 days before Bradshaw's interview where he buried Rodgers, the free agent QB was in Texas appearing at a live podcast/performance/interview where he was asked about another team that showed some interest in signing him, the New Orleans Saints.

When Rodgers was asked about playing for the Saints, he quickly responded with:

“No. That’s the answer. I’ve played there a couple times. But no, I’m too old. I don’t want to live in Louisiana. Sorry.”

While many were talking about some hint he eventually dropped in the performance about signing with the Steelers, those in the Louisiana area latched onto the 'I don't want to live in Louisiana' comment. One of those people may have been Terry Bradshaw.

Terry Bradshaw's Deep Roots in the Pelican State

Back in September of 1948, Terry Bradshaw was born in Shreveport, Louisiana. After his family traveled a bit during his early years, they settled in Shreveport for his high school years. He attended Shreveport's Woodlawn High School, where he'd help lead them to a state championship game.

He went on to play for Louisiana Tech, rewriting their record books, and playing well enough to become the #1 overall pick in the NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Louisiana has always remained important to Bradshaw. Owning a ranch in the state, returning for numerous public and private events, having surgery in Shreveport, donating Hall of Fame level memorabilia to Louisiana Tech, writing songs about the state. It's obvious that Louisiana means something to Bradshaw.

So when he takes a shot at Rodgers, is it really because he's dragging out his signing with Bradshaw's old team, or the insult Rodgers made about Louisiana that ruffled Bradshaw's feathers? Our guess, its both.