NFL Legend Terry Bradshaw, 76, Says His Daughters Went To Bed Every Night Knowing Their Daddy Loved Them

The post, featuring a smiling Bradshaw on the book’s cover and photos of delicious meals, stated, “Beloved NFL superstar, sports commentator and all-around entertainer Terry Bradshaw and his family have announced The Bradshaw Family Cookbook — and it’s officially available for preorder!

“From Terry’s spicy pork canoes to his wife, Tammy’s, fried green tomatoes, Rachel Bradshaw’s monkey bread, Lacey Hester’s cheddar bacon ranch potato casserole, and Noah Hester’s grilled Tomahawk steak, this book is packed with family favorites, heartfelt stories, and Southern comfort food made to bring people together.”

The cookbook will be out on sale on September 16, however, anyone interested is advised to take part in the preorder, available online.

Bradshaw’s family cookbook is also a powerful reminder of how the analyst for Fox Sports has remained close with his three daughters Rachel, 38, Erin, 36, and Lacey, 33, throughout the years and what it took to raise them into the beautiful, hardworking women they’ve become.

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Back in 2020, when the E! announced the American reality television program “The Bradshaw Bunch,” Bradshaw offered insight into how it was raising three daughters, and what life is like with his wife Tammy, three daughters and his grandchildren.

Bradshaw stated at the time, according to People, “I’m excited and a little nervous to let the world see the crazy life I share with Tammy and our girls.

“I never know what will happen next around here between Rachel, Lacey and Erin…I thought winning four Super Bowls was hard, but it’s nothing compared to having three girls.”

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The executive VP of production and development at E! and Oxygen also said in a statement before the show, which had successful two seasons between 2020 and 2022, premiered, “Terry Bradshaw is an NFL legend, award-winning broadcaster and one of the most iconic figures in entertainment today.

“On the field, Terry is known to be a touchdown titan, but in reality, he spends most of his time surrounded by and supporting so many strong women in his family. He’s the glue that holds that family together, and we’re excited that viewers will really get to see a side of him that they’ve never seen before.”

Meanwhile, in a more recent interview, with the Legacy Letter podcast, Bradshaw further expressed his love for his daughters and what he did to raise them as best he could.

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He said, “My kids never went to bed at night not knowing that their daddy loved them And that was probably more than likely the difference maker in their lives. – Terry Bradshaw.”

Bradshaw also said during the interview, “It’s important for their stability, for their mental development, to know that … you know, how much their dad loves them.

“You know … girls love their daddies, don’t you ever forget that.”

Terry Bradshaw’s Cancer Journey

Terry Bradshaw previously shared details about his battles with two forms of cancer. He was diagnosed with bladder cancer in November 2021.

Bladder cancer develops when cells that make up the urinary bladder start to grow and eventually develop into tumors. [It’s worth noting that the National Cancer Institute puts it as the sixth most common type of cancer overall in the U.S.]

Dr. Jay Shah, the cancer care program leader for urologic oncology at the Stanford Cancer Center, previously told SurvivorNet, “Bladder cancer is one of those cancers that you don’t hear about too often.”

Bladder cancer, which is highly treatable when found early, can often be detected early because the main first sign of the disease is hematuria, or blood appearing in your urine. This blood can change the urine’s color to orange, pink and, in some extreme cases, dark red.

Bradshaw underwent surgery and other treatment before being declared cancer-free.

During today's show, Terry Bradshaw shared that he has been battling cancer over the past year. As of today, he is cancer free, and he discussed his fight and plan for the future: pic.twitter.com/RSwVxlXC97

— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) October 2, 2022

However, months later, Bradshaw’s doctors discovered a tumor in the left side of his neck as he was undergoing an MRI for neck pain. A biopsy later confirmed it was merkel cell carcinoma, which the National Cancer Institute describes as “a very rare disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the skin.”

“Merkel cells are found in the top layer of the skin. These cells are very close to the nerve endings that receive the sensation of touch,” the NCI says.

Merkel cell carcinoma tends to grow fast and spread quickly to other parts of the body. The tumor may be skin-colored or shades of red, blue, or purple and may be painless.

Bradshaw underwent surgery, followed by radiation therapy, to treat the disease. His side effects included swelling in his face from the radiation. The cancer warrior shared a bit of his cancer journey in a Sept. 29, 2022, Facebook Live video.

“This side of my face is partially numb. It’s gonna take a while,” e said in the video post.

A few weeks later, Bradshaw was back on air fulfilling his pre-game hosting duties as an NFL analyst. During the segment, he spoke openly about his cancer journey, explaining, “In November, I was diagnosed with bladder cancer. I went to the Yale University Medical Center for surgery, treatment. As of today, I am bladder cancer-free. Alright, that’s the good news.”

RELATED: Guide To Bladder Cancer

Bradshaw went on to share his skin cancer diagnosis with concerned fans who saw him lose his breath during a television segment a week earlier.

“Folks, I may not look like my old self, but I feel like my old self,” he concluded. “I’m cancer-free, I’m feeling great. And over time, I’m going to be back to where I normally am. So I appreciate your prayers and your concern.”

Understanding Bladder Cancer & Treatment

Bladder cancer develops when cells that make up the urinary bladder start to grow and eventually develop into tumors. And when these cancerous tumors become muscle invasive, or spread into deeper layers of the bladder wall, the bladder may need to be removed all together along with nearby lymph nodes, other organs in the pelvis and potentially other nearby organs as well.

“For most patients who have invasive bladder cancer, the mainstay of their therapy is surgery, to remove the bladder, and the technical term for removing the bladder is radical cystectomy,” Dr. Jay Shah, the cancer care program leader for urologic oncology at the Stanford Cancer Center, told SurvivorNet.

“And what it entails is removing the bladder, plus all the organs nearby, removing the lymph nodes, which is the first place that bladder cancer can spread out of the body, and then we have to do something called a urinary diversion, which is finding some way for the patient’s urine to get out of their body.”

Bladder cancer is the sixth-most common type of cancer overall in the United States, though it is the fourth-most common for men.

My Bladder Cancer Has Spread. What Are My Options?

When it comes to muscle-invasive bladder cancer, complete removal of the bladder is considered the optimal method to cure. However, for patients who cannot have surgery due to medical problems or personal preference, chemotherapy combined with radiation can be an alternative.

And although radical cystectomy (complete removal of the bladder) is the standard approach for this type of bladder cancer, research shows that adding chemotherapy before you head to the operating room decreases the chance of cancer coming back and increase survival.

Treatment that is administered before surgery is called “neoadjuvant.” Pre-surgery is the ideal time to give treatment, because up to 30% of patients experience post-operative complications that would otherwise delay or entirely prevent safe delivery of chemotherapy. Different combinations and doses of treatments may be recommended based on your age, other medical conditions, and whether the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes. The two most common regimens are MVAC (methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin, and cisplatin) and GC (gemcitabine and cisplatin). These regimens are given for approximately 2-4 months between your diagnosis and surgery date. Imaging tests such as CT scans may be ordered to check your progress with chemotherapy.

Treatment for bladder cancer depends on several factors including the type of tumor, stage of disease and your general health. Your personal wishes, values and expectations also play a role in the treatment plan you and your doctor choose.

How Should My Doctor and I Make a Treatment Plan For Bladder Cancer?

Your doctor is often part of a team that will help you make decisions about treatment options. This may include surgeons, pathologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, urologists and other health professionals. You should feel comfortable asking questions about any aspect of bladder cancer treatment before making a decision.

Questions To Ask Your Doctor After Being Diagnosed With Bladder Cancer

A new bladder cancer diagnosis can feel incredibly overwhelming. That’s why it’s important to prepare for your cancer journey by asking your doctor the right questions.

Knowing what to expect during and after treatment can help relieve stress and make a difficult experience more manageable. It also gives you time to plan and make arrangements for any care you may need.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Bladder Cancer?

“I tell all my patients that we’re gonna get to know each other really well,” says Dr. Shah.

“You need to develop a relationship with your urologist because once you have bladder cancer, you need to have someone that’s following you regularly for the rest of your life.”

Asking questions helps you learn more about your healthcare team’s experience treating bladder cancer and begin forming a relationship with them. Your doctor should be happy to answer your questions, so don’t hesitate to speak up.

Consider asking your healthcare team the following questions:

• What type of cancer do I have?
• What stage is the cancer?
• Has the cancer spread to other organs? If so, where?
• What does my prognosis look like?
• Should I see a genetic counselor for testing?
• Should any of my family members be tested?
• Will I have a better chance of success if I travel to a cancer treatment center instead of seeing a local urologist?
• Should I consider getting a second opinion?

Knowledge is power. By speaking with your doctor and finding answers to these questions, you can learn more about your bladder cancer diagnosis and make informed decisions about your treatment options.

Finding Bladder Cancer Support

Support for anyone battling bladder cancer is important during and after cancer treatment. Ask your doctor about community organizations, support groups and other resources to help you connect with others.

RELATED: Guidance for Cancer Caregivers

Consider asking your health team the following questions:

• Are there any resources available specifically for bladder cancer patients?
• Should I speak with other patients who have had the same diagnosis?
• Are there any support groups in my area?
• Are there resources for paying medical bills?
• Who should I contact for more information regarding these resources?
• How do I find out what my insurance will/won’t cover?

Remaining positive throughout your journey, just as Bradshaw did with the help of his wife, Tammy, who he’s been married to since 2014, will help you successfully manage your symptoms and take advantage of opportunities for support.

Get the answers to all of your questions so you can start your bladder cancer journey with the peace of mind that comes from knowing what to expect.

Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff

Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.

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