Terry Bradshaw is widely regarded as one of the most iconic players in Pittsburgh Steelers history, having quarterbacked the team to four Super Bowl titles and cementing his place in NFL lore.
But despite his legacy, the Hall of Famer’s No. 12 jersey remains notably unretired – and that’s unlikely to change anytime soon.
Bradshaw, now 76, spent his entire professional career with the Steelers, helping define the team’s dominance in the 1970s and building one of the most revered dynasties in sports.
Yet, decades later, the organization has yet to bestow one of its highest honors on the former quarterback by officially retiring his number.
That inaction is drawing fresh scrutiny as speculation swirls around quarterback Aaron Rodgers potentially joining the Steelers – perhaps any day now.
Rodgers famously wore No. 12 during his long tenure with the Green Bay Packers. However, when he joined the New York Jets, he switched to No. 8 out of respect for Jets legend Joe Namath, whose No. 12 had already been retired.
In Pittsburgh, Rodgers wouldn’t face the same dilemma. Bradshaw’s number remains in circulation, prompting fans to wonder whether the team might move quickly to retire it in anticipation of Rodgers’ possible arrival.
But according to a longtime team insider, that’s not going to happen.
“I don’t think it’s happening anytime soon,” Steelers reporter Gerry Dulac said during a recent Q&A session with fans.
The franchise’s hesitance to retire Bradshaw’s jersey stands out even more when considering how selective the team has been with the honor.
In their 90-year history, the Steelers have only retired three numbers: Ernie Stautner (70), “Mean” Joe Greene (75), and Franco Harris (32).
Despite leading the Steelers to four Super Bowl victories and playing a key role in shaping the team’s storied history, Bradshaw appears unlikely to join that exclusive club – at least for now.
As for Rodgers, should he sign with Pittsburgh, the door appears open for him to reclaim his old number without too much controversy.
Bradshaw remains a beloved figure in Pittsburgh and across the NFL, but the Steelers seem content, for now, to let his legacy live on without the formal jersey retirement fans continue to call for.
The vast majority of football fans expect Rodgers to sign with Pittsburgh. While it’s certainly taking longer than most had hoped, it seems like it will inevitably happen.
When it does, do you think Rodgers will request No. 12? … Even though it’s not retired, would it be disrespectful for him to wear Bradshaw’s old iconic number???
