Terry Bradshaw reflects on his college choice and avoiding the Vietnam draft

Yahoo Sports1 min read • Latest: Sep 7, 2026, 3:08 PM

Last updated Sep 7, 2026

Terry Bradshaw reflects on his college choice and avoiding the Vietnam draft
Summary

Terry Bradshaw recently discussed his decision to attend Louisiana Tech rather than LSU as a 17-year-old. Bradshaw stated he lacked the emotional maturity to attend the larger university at the time and feared he would have failed academically, which could have led to his conscription into the Vietnam War. He noted that Trey Prather, the quarterback who eventually signed with LSU instead, was later deployed to the conflict and died in 1968. Bradshaw struggled with undiagnosed ADD during his youth and ultimately failed the ACT, leading him to the Louisiana Tech program. There, he developed into a standout quarterback, eventually earning the first overall selection in the 1970 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers after setting numerous school and conference records.

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By the Numbers
  • Terry Bradshaw opted for Louisiana Tech to maintain student deferment status during the Vietnam War.
  • Bradshaw stated he was not mature enough to handle the environment at LSU.
  • Trey Prather, the quarterback who signed with LSU, died in the Vietnam War in 1968.
  • Bradshaw earned the first overall pick in the 1970 NFL Draft following his collegiate career.
Latest Updates
  • 3:08 PMYahoo Sports"I'd Have Gone Into the Vietnam War": Terry Bradshaw Makes Honest Admission on Rejecting Popular College Football Program
What they're saying
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Terry Bradshaw’s road to football immortality almost took a very different turn. Before he became the Pittsburgh Steelers’ legendary quarterback, a four-time Super Bowl champion and one of the most recognizable figures in NFL history, Bradshaw was a 17-year-old in Shreveport, Louisiana, staring at a college decision with consequences far bigger than football.

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