Steelers' Legend Terry Bradshaw Reveals Shocking Trade Request During 1974 Season

The Pittsburgh Steelers' legendary dynasty began in the 1970s after all kinds of decisions were made. The stories are well-known at this point, as Terry Bradshaw was selected first overall, the Immaculate Reception gave the Steelers their first playoff win ever, and they followed that up with the single greatest draft class in NFL history. That 1974 team was full of veteran superstars and young Hall of Famers in the making. Nothing could derail that season... except for a strike that divided the team up. 

During training camp in 1974, many Steelers veterans sat out and subsequently lost their starting jobs, including Bradshaw. Joe Gilliam was the starting quarterback, even when Bradshaw came back from the strike. Throughout the first two weeks, the offense was clicking under Gilliam, as they had scored a combined 75 points. He had over 400 passing yards total in those two games as well. 

Bradshaw spoke about this on A Steelers Story: Dawn of a Dynasty. During that time, he brought up the fact that he couldn't handle being the backup and wanted to leave Pittsburgh entirely.

"I've lost my job, and my pride could not handle that. I could never handle someone taking my job. I take losing very personal... I went in and told [Head Coach Chuck Noll] that I want to be traded, and I knew Kansas City would love to have me; I knew New Orleans would love to have me. There were places to go -- Atlanta -- where I could regroup and get my career started again."

Despite being part of the strike before the season, Bradshaw wanted no part in riding the bench and helping the 23-year-old quarterback develop. He wanted playing time, whether it was in Pittsburgh or literally anywhere else. With Gilliam on a roll to begin the season, there was no certainty that the original TB12 would get his job back anytime soon. Well, Chuck Noll may have been certain about it. 

Steelers Refused To Grant Bradshaw's Request

Bradshaw continued on with the story, as he talked about how Noll had no interest in letting his star quarterback leave town so quickly.

"During that meeting, it was the strangest meeting, because Chuck kept telling me how great I was. 'Are you talking to me?' I'm sitting there, and I said, 'How can I be great and be sitting on a bench, what are you talking about?' I guess Chuck probably knew deep down inside that I'd be back out there, but I didn't."

After those dominant two weeks of offense by Gilliam, he sputtered and failed to even get close to those same numbers. Eventually Noll started playing quarterback hot potato with him and Bradshaw. After Week 11, however, the Blonde Bomber finally secured the starting job for good. The offense started doing well again under him, and there was no turning back. It was ride or die with Bradshaw, including in the playoffs. 

From there, of course, the rest is history, Noll, Bradshaw, and the other legends of the team rolled right through the playoffs and won Super Bowl IX, the first championship for the team ever. They would later win the very next year as well. They even went back-to-back again as the decade came to a close. They were the first team to ever win three rings, four rings, and have consecutive title seasons twice. 

Who knows if that happens without Bradshaw? Even though the quarterback position was not valued then like it is today, it was still an important piece to the team. For his era, he was still considered an elite player at his position. He still earned his spot in the Hall of Fame. How would the 1970s look for both the legendary quarterback and the Steelers if they granted his trade request? 

What do you think about Bradshaw wanting to leave town after losing the starting role in 1974? Let us know in the comments.

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