We all know about Terry Bradshaw. Heck, if he had just been a football star, we would all know about TB.
But he’s a multi-platform analyst/entertainer who left his hometown when the then-woeful Pittsburgh Steelers made him the No. 1 pick in the 1970 NFL Draft, out of Louisiana Tech after a great two-sport career at Woodlawn High School.
Although he has mostly lived elsewhere, he never really left Shreveport, or north Louisiana, or Louisiana Tech. Give him credit for that. Celebrities too often find it’s tough to go home again. And it is.
He was at a distance from Pittsburgh for quite a few years after his playing days ended. He and coach Chuck Noll were pivotal figures in the Steelers’ dynasty of the 1970s, with four Super Bowl wins and several near misses.
Bradshaw and Noll were not on the same wavelength, except when it came to competing and winning. Both would speak their minds, and both sniped at the other. Steelers fans took sides and sometimes Bradshaw’s brashness rubbed some of them the wrong way.
Tonight when the NFL Draft kicks off in Pittsburgh, TB will be there. In the last several years, the awkward relationship between him and Pittsburgh has healed. Just last Friday, he was in the ‘Burgh as master of ceremonies at the annual Mel Blount Youth Home Celebrity Roast.
In his golden years, the 77-year-old Blonde Bomber is enjoying the view, but not ready to step away from his Fox Sports studio analyst role or other endeavors.
On the long list of pro football stars from Shreveport-Bossier and the area, there’s no doubt Bradshaw is at the top, for what’s that worth. Watching him throw deep to fellow Pro Football Hall of Famers John Stallworth and Lynn Swann was breathtaking then, and still is.
And here’s a touch of irony. He could have had a local connection.
The 1979 NFL Draft followed the Steelers’ fourth Super Bowl victory. After a back-and-forth with the NFC champ Los Angeles Rams – neither team wanted the notoriety of making the last pick – commissioner Pete Rozelle ruled Pittsburgh would take it.
They chose Bossier City’s Mike Almond, who had been a four-year All-Louisiana receiver in A.L. Williams’ prolific Northwestern State offense – which was influenced by another Woodlawn/NFL QB, Joe Ferguson. He lived in Natchitoches and helped the Demons in the offseason because of his respect for Williams, his coach with the Knights.
Until 1976, the last pick in the NFL Draft was a footnote, a longshot to say the least, nothing more. But some good folks in Newport Beach, Cal., launched “Irrelevant Week” honoring “Mr. Irrelevant” each year – the final guy chosen.
Almond got to spend several days on the coast for the festivities, and was given the “Mr. Lowsman” trophy. Then, it was off to Latrobe, Pa., about an hour east of Pittsburgh, for training camp.
Picked presumably as an afterthought, Almond’s selection showed the savvy of the Steelers’ scouting staff. He had a school-record 10 receptions against Louisville on his resume, good size and deceptive speed, with hands that would do a jewel thief proud.
He survived cut after cut. He survived late night dorm visits from menacing linebacker Jack Lambert, who loved harassing rookies almost as much as he enjoyed taking down opposing ballcarriers. He made it to the final roster cut down to 53, in an era before today’s practice squads.
Almond came home and has had a long career in local law enforcement. He is in the N-Club Hall of Fame at NSU.
Bradshaw played four more seasons before an elbow injury ended his career. Almond has no regrets about his NFL experience. But it sure would have been fun to see a Shreveport-Bossier connection in black and gold at Three Rivers Stadium.
Contact Doug at sbjdoug@gmail.com