Terry Bradshaw's Health Problems History: Complete Timeline

SHREVEPORT, La. - Nov. 17, 2025 - PRLog -- et, beneath the booming voice and trademark humor is a long, private battle with serious Terry Bradshaw health problems history, including a devastating double-cancer diagnosis and a decades-long fight against clinical depression.

This is the definitive timeline of his health journey.

We'll break down exactly what he faced, when it happened, and the critical lessons you can take from his experience.

The stakes here are real: his willingness to share his story has brought vital awareness to conditions that affect millions, proving that even a Hall of Famer is not immune.

Physical Injuries from Football Career

His health journey began decades ago, marked by the inevitable wear and tear of a punishing NFL career. The physical toll from his playing days laid the groundwork for later chronic conditions.

Terry Bradshaw's Mental Health Journey

His mental health struggles began long before his cancer diagnosis, proving that physical and mental battles often coexist. Bradshaw has been a pioneer in openly discussing Terry Bradshaw mental health, a topic once considered taboo in professional sports.

• Symptoms and Diagnosis (Late 1990s): Following his third divorce, Bradshaw experienced severe symptoms that he couldn't "bounce back" from, unlike a bad game or previous life challenges.
  • Symptoms: Frequent crying, sleeplessness, dramatic weight loss, and debilitating anxiety attacks.
  • Diagnosis: He was formally diagnosed with clinical depression.
• Treatment and Advocacy: Since his diagnosis, he has been an outspoken advocate. He maintains his health with a combination of medication (specifically, Paxil), talk therapy, and faith.
  • Public Stance: Bradshaw's primary motivation for speaking out was to fight the stigma associated with mental illness. He repeatedly stresses that depression is a physical illness with a chemical solution.

Cancer Battles & Diagnoses (2010s-Present)

In one year, Bradshaw faced two unrelated cancer diagnoses, a struggle he initially kept secret from the public. His public disclosure in 2022 confirmed his resilience and commitment to being honest with his audience.

Bladder Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment

• When It Happened: November 2021.
• The Condition: Bladder cancer.
• Treatment and Outcome: He underwent surgery and treatment at the Yale University Medical Center.
• Status: As of his public disclosure in October 2022, he announced he was bladder-cancer free.

Merkel Cell Carcinoma

Just months after his first battle, a second, more aggressive cancer was found.

• When It Happened: March 2022.
• The Condition: A tumor in his left neck was identified as Merkel Cell Carcinoma (MCC), a very rare and highly aggressive form of skin cancer.
• Treatment and Outcome: He had surgery at M.D. Anderson in Houston to remove the tumor.

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