When the Pittsburgh Steelers Made the Choice to Select Quarterback Terry Bradshaw First Overall in the 1970 NFL Draft

When the Pittsburgh Steelers made the choice to select quarterback Terry Bradshaw first overall in the 1970 NFL Draft, it would play a major role in changing the team’s history forever.

The Pittsburgh Steelers selecting quarterback Terry Bradshaw first overall at the 1970 NFL Draft would play a major role in changing the team’s history forever. The Steelers dynasty of the 1970s, powered by Bradshaw’s arm, Chuck Noll’s coaching brilliance, and a ferocious defense, nearly didn’t come to pass—or at least not with Bradshaw under center.

As both the Steelers and the Chicago Bears finished the 1969 season with identical 1-13 records, the number one overall pick would be decided by a coin flip. Pittsburgh would win the toss, select Bradshaw, and the rest is history. With Bradshaw at quarterback, the Steelers would go on to capture four Super Bowl titles and cement themselves as the team of the decade. It’s one of the most pivotal “what if” moments in franchise lore—what if the coin landed the other way?

While speaking with Teresa Varley of Steelers.com, Bradshaw revealed that on draft day, he didn’t even care about the pick—he just wanted to go fishing. In a moment that perfectly captures his personality, Bradshaw shared that he was ready to grab his gear and head out until his dad stopped him, telling him he needed to stay home to wait for the call. Turns out, that call would change the trajectory of his life and the Steelers forever.

"The draft was no big deal back then," Bradshaw began. "I thought I would go in the third or fourth round. It wasn't on television. I was going fishing. I had my truck, and I was pulling out of the driveway and my dad stopped me and said, 'Where are you going?' I told him I was going fishing. He told me it was draft day, and he heard from the Bears. I told him I wasn't going until the third or fourth round. He told me you get out and you clean up. I was mad. I went and put on a jacket and tie for my dad. And then I got drafted number one."

The NFL Draft was a completely different experience back then. There were no red carpets, no glitzy Hollywood production, and certainly no prime-time spectacle.

It was a far cry from the high-profile event fans know today.

"It didn't mean that much," Bradshaw added. "I was coming here to the worst team in the NFL, which wasn't good… I was told by our college coaching staff maybe late second round, third round. There was some talk about moving up. And the Pittsburgh thing. And then the coin flip. My dad had received a phone call earlier that morning from the [Bears] Halas family saying they were trying to make a trade for me. I didn't find out about this until later. Then my dad talked to the Steelers, and they said they weren't going to trade and keep the rights. It was just mumbo-jumbo to me. You figure out what you are going to do, and I am going to go fishing."

It’s wild to look back and see how different the scouting process was back then. There were no combines, no endless mock drafts, and very little certainty for the players involved. Bradshaw went into the 1970 NFL Draft thinking he might go in the third or fourth round. He had no real idea he would end up being the first overall pick. His father seemed to have a stronger gut feeling, but even he wasn’t entirely sure.

The Steelers, of course, made the right call. Drafting Bradshaw would turn out to be one of the most important decisions in franchise history and marked the beginning of Pittsburgh’s football dynasty. Bradshaw became the face of a team that would dominate the decade and set the standard for success in the NFL.

Over his Hall of Fame career, Bradshaw helped lead the Steelers to four Super Bowl victories. He was named Super Bowl MVP twice, earned three Pro Bowl selections, was a one-time All-Pro, and took home the league’s MVP award in 1978. His legacy in Pittsburgh is cemented as one of the greats who helped turn the Steelers into a powerhouse. Now Steeler Nation continues to hear from Bradshaw as he offers his takes about the direction of the modern-day Steelers.