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Looking for Terry: A Memoir
"Red meat for gridiron devotees, with plenty of dish on the biz.” —KIRKUS REVIEWS
Terry Bradshaw explores what it really means to be Terry Bradshaw.
For more than fifty years, Terry Bradshaw has been one of the most recognizable figures in American culture. A Hall of Fame quarterback who led the Pittsburgh Steelers to four Super Bowl victories, Bradshaw didn’t fade quietly into retirement. Instead, he reinvented himself—again and again—as a movie and television actor, a beloved NFL broadcaster, and a larger-than-life personality whose humor and self-deprecation made him a household name far beyond football.
In Looking for Terry, his first memoir in more than two decades, Bradshaw finally pulls back the curtain on the persona the public thinks it knows. With trademark candor and wit, he examines how a reputation for being “not too smart” followed him throughout his career—and how he learned to embrace it rather than fight it. By leaning into the jokes, Bradshaw discovered that humor could be both a shield and a superpower. The result was the goofy, always-game-for-a-laugh Terry Bradshaw that fans came to love. But behind the punchlines was a more complicated man, one who sometimes felt trapped by the very character he helped create.
This memoir is not just a reflection on fame and perception; it’s an unflinching look at vulnerability. Bradshaw opens up about his struggle with depression, his deeply personal battle with cancer, and the role his faith played in carrying him through his darkest moments. This memoir is raw, moving, and unexpectedly tender, revealing a side of Bradshaw rarely seen on television.
By turns hilarious, heartfelt, and deeply inspiring, Looking for Terry is a story about resilience, reinvention, and the courage it takes to tell the truth about yourself—even when the world thinks it already knows who you are. Readers will laugh right along with Terry and ultimately come away with a deeper appreciation for the man behind the legend.
Terry Bradshaw explores what it really means to be Terry Bradshaw.
For more than fifty years, Terry Bradshaw has been one of the most recognizable figures in American culture. A Hall of Fame quarterback who led the Pittsburgh Steelers to four Super Bowl victories, Bradshaw didn’t fade quietly into retirement. Instead, he reinvented himself—again and again—as a movie and television actor, a beloved NFL broadcaster, and a larger-than-life personality whose humor and self-deprecation made him a household name far beyond football.
In Looking for Terry, his first memoir in more than two decades, Bradshaw finally pulls back the curtain on the persona the public thinks it knows. With trademark candor and wit, he examines how a reputation for being “not too smart” followed him throughout his career—and how he learned to embrace it rather than fight it. By leaning into the jokes, Bradshaw discovered that humor could be both a shield and a superpower. The result was the goofy, always-game-for-a-laugh Terry Bradshaw that fans came to love. But behind the punchlines was a more complicated man, one who sometimes felt trapped by the very character he helped create.
This memoir is not just a reflection on fame and perception; it’s an unflinching look at vulnerability. Bradshaw opens up about his struggle with depression, his deeply personal battle with cancer, and the role his faith played in carrying him through his darkest moments. This memoir is raw, moving, and unexpectedly tender, revealing a side of Bradshaw rarely seen on television.
By turns hilarious, heartfelt, and deeply inspiring, Looking for Terry is a story about resilience, reinvention, and the courage it takes to tell the truth about yourself—even when the world thinks it already knows who you are. Readers will laugh right along with Terry and ultimately come away with a deeper appreciation for the man behind the legend.
- GenresMemoir
272 pages, Hardcover
Published October 13, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
October 14, 2026
This book should have been an article in S. I.
Terry Bradshaw, author of the new memoir, LOOKING FOR TERRY, was a premier quarterback in NFL. He played for the Pittsburgh Steelers for 14 seasons from 1970-1983. He won 4 Super Bowls,3 Pro Bowls, 1 MVP and threw 212 touchdowns among the 27,989 passing yards of his career.
According to Terry, he was know as a dumb guy who loved Jesus and always had a smile. On the inside, he struggled with feeling inadequate and battled what he now recognizes as mental health issues. Terry stove to be liked; by everyone.
During the course of these 272 pages, he repeats some stories 3-4 times. At times, it felt like notes from a session on his therapist’s couch. Perhaps the intent was for readers to empathize but it left me wondering where the editor was.
It’s commendable and brave for Terry to share so openly about his struggles with mental health. When he’s not on TV covering football for Fox, he spends quite a lot of time speaking to business groups about the issues he faced, offering to help anyone who asks for guidance.
Because Terry is a good ‘ole southern boy, his narrative reads folksy and welcoming. At times he’s funny and self deprecating while relaying stories about the business ventures he attempted outside of football. While speaking about his 3 failed marriages, he seems genuinely contrite, taking the blame for his inabilities and bad decisions. Those moments are endearing; the first time…
Fans of old school football, the Pittsburgh Steelers, Terry and horse breeding, (yup, not an A. I. error), will find interesting information. If you’re a fan of engaging memoirs, there are better options📚
I received a copy for review purposes. All opinions are honest and mine alone.
Read & Reviewed from a physical arc with thanks to Publisher’s Weekly, the publisher and author.
Terry Bradshaw, author of the new memoir, LOOKING FOR TERRY, was a premier quarterback in NFL. He played for the Pittsburgh Steelers for 14 seasons from 1970-1983. He won 4 Super Bowls,3 Pro Bowls, 1 MVP and threw 212 touchdowns among the 27,989 passing yards of his career.
According to Terry, he was know as a dumb guy who loved Jesus and always had a smile. On the inside, he struggled with feeling inadequate and battled what he now recognizes as mental health issues. Terry stove to be liked; by everyone.
During the course of these 272 pages, he repeats some stories 3-4 times. At times, it felt like notes from a session on his therapist’s couch. Perhaps the intent was for readers to empathize but it left me wondering where the editor was.
It’s commendable and brave for Terry to share so openly about his struggles with mental health. When he’s not on TV covering football for Fox, he spends quite a lot of time speaking to business groups about the issues he faced, offering to help anyone who asks for guidance.
Because Terry is a good ‘ole southern boy, his narrative reads folksy and welcoming. At times he’s funny and self deprecating while relaying stories about the business ventures he attempted outside of football. While speaking about his 3 failed marriages, he seems genuinely contrite, taking the blame for his inabilities and bad decisions. Those moments are endearing; the first time…
Fans of old school football, the Pittsburgh Steelers, Terry and horse breeding, (yup, not an A. I. error), will find interesting information. If you’re a fan of engaging memoirs, there are better options📚
I received a copy for review purposes. All opinions are honest and mine alone.
Read & Reviewed from a physical arc with thanks to Publisher’s Weekly, the publisher and author.
Review of advance copy received from Publishers Weekly
Looking for Terry, A Memoir - Terry Bradshaw - (Advanced Galley Copy)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#partner
Thanks to Publishers Weekly and HarperCollins Focus for the free advanced galley copy.
I was so excited to get an early copy of Terry Bradshaw’s memoir, Looking for Terry. I have been a huge fan of Terry Bradshaw for a very long time. He was my favorite quarterback growing up and I loved following all the players of the Steel Curtain.
This book is one of the best celebrity memoirs I’ve read for a few reasons. Aside from being a huge fan, his book is written with great honesty, soul baring revelations, and insight into his process for finding out who he really is outside of the game of football and his celebrity status.
Terry shares the role his faith, family, and friends have played in forming his views about himself. He writes about how he has dealt with success and failure and serious health issues in his life. In addition, there are so many humorous stories in his memoir that had me laughing out loud.
Reading this memoir felt like I was in conversation with Terry and he was telling his life stories to me.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Publication date: October 13, 2026
#lookingforterry @harpercollinsfocus @official_terry_bradshaw @publisherswkly #bookstagram #memoirs #fivestarreads @juliawoodard
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#partner
Thanks to Publishers Weekly and HarperCollins Focus for the free advanced galley copy.
I was so excited to get an early copy of Terry Bradshaw’s memoir, Looking for Terry. I have been a huge fan of Terry Bradshaw for a very long time. He was my favorite quarterback growing up and I loved following all the players of the Steel Curtain.
This book is one of the best celebrity memoirs I’ve read for a few reasons. Aside from being a huge fan, his book is written with great honesty, soul baring revelations, and insight into his process for finding out who he really is outside of the game of football and his celebrity status.
Terry shares the role his faith, family, and friends have played in forming his views about himself. He writes about how he has dealt with success and failure and serious health issues in his life. In addition, there are so many humorous stories in his memoir that had me laughing out loud.
Reading this memoir felt like I was in conversation with Terry and he was telling his life stories to me.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Publication date: October 13, 2026
#lookingforterry @harpercollinsfocus @official_terry_bradshaw @publisherswkly #bookstagram #memoirs #fivestarreads @juliawoodard
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews