Terry Bradshaw once claimed that Jesus Christ would agree to a Playboy interview after being asked how he could speak to the magazine despite his strong Christian beliefs.
The former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback sat down with the lifestyle and entertainment publication in 1980 to discuss a range of topics, including his religion and career in the NFL. Many Bradshaw fans may have been surprised at the athlete’s agreement to the interview, but he had his reasons for deciding to discuss life with Playboy.
Despite Playboy’s controversial reputation for its X-rated content, Bradshaw claimed that he was only being interviewed as Christian people also read the magazine – and Jesus would have done the same. At the time, the former Steelers star said: “Well, if Jesus were on earth today, he’d want to be interviewed by Playboy.”
Bradshaw further explained: “I don’t think Jesus ever shied down. And, as one of his children, neither should I. Jesus was for the people. He is for the people. And he was teaching and preaching to all the people. Murderers. The rich. The poor. You know. Everyone. And today, it would include people who read Playboy. He hasn’t spoken to me about it, but I know he would want to be in here.”
The NFL star also explained that then-wife JoJo Starbuck wasn’t best pleased about his choice to be in the magazine – but he admitted he’d just veil the truth if the questions got too personal. Bradshaw added: “I had reservations about doing this. I told JoJo and JoJo was upset when I told her I was going to do this interview, but I said, ‘Hey, it’s an opportunity for me to witness to 22,000,000 people.’ And she said, ‘You know you’re going to get asked every question.’ I said, ‘I know that. I’m just going to answer as openly and honestly as I possibly can. And when I think it’s really controversial, I’ll just lie.'”
Bradshaw also recalled the moment he found God – and it was while doing the most American of pasttimes. The then-Steelers quarterback claimed he was sitting watching a broadcast of a football game when an omnipresent spirit appeared and helped him reconnect with his Christian background.
Bradshaw said: “I found Christ. I sort of had a revelation…While I was watching Monday Night Football.”
He continued: “I’m serious. I was watching Monday Night Football, but I had the volume turned down. And I was watching it, but I really wasn’t seeing it. There’s a song that talks about being with a person all your life, but finally one morning you roll over and look at her face to face–and you finally see her. This was kind of what happened with me and the Lord. I finally saw him. I was a Christian and I had fallen out of a relationship with the Lord. And this night in particular, he and I got reacquainted.
“I was watching it and tears were coming down my face…and I said, “Jiminy Christmas, what is this? What’s with these tears?” I was embarrassed, but there was no one in there. So I kind of sat up and they just kept coming down.”
When questioned on the importance of the Monday Night Football showing, Bradshaw added: “Nothing [to do with MNF]. And then it was like God was sitting in front of me and I was shakin’ on my knees. I said, “OK. I need You in my life to straighten me out. I can’t. I’ve tried to help myself and I messed it up. You’ve just got to take my life and straighten me up and help me get over this pain of not playing. Help me get over this hate and help me get myself back together again.”
The former number one draft pick enjoyed a successful career with the Steelers from 1970 until 1983, where he won four Super Bowls, seven division titles and was invited to the Pro Bowl three times.
Now a 76-year-old TV icon, Bradshaw works on FOX NFL Sunday and gives his valued opinion on all the up-and-coming stars of the league.
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