By AMBER MILES

News Bureau

 

Louisiana Tech University and Terry Bradshaw have had ties since the NFL Hall of Fame quarterback lettered at the university in the late 1960s while setting single-season passing and total offense records for the Bulldogs.

On Monday, Bradshaw, the first player chosen in the 1970 NFL draft, passed along more than Tech could have ever expected.

Bradshaw, one of only two quarterbacks in NFL history to win four Super Bowls, donated several items back to his alma mater while in town for the Terry Bradshaw/Kix Brooks Golf Tournament fundraiser at Squire Creek Country Club.

The items included the former Pittsburgh Steelers’ four rings from Super Bowls IX, X, XIII and XIV, his College Football Hall of Fame ring, his Pro Football Hall of Fame ring, his Hall of Fame bust, four miniature replica Super Bowl trophies and a helmet and jersey from one of his Super Bowl victories.

“I don’t need [these things] to remind me of anything. I played in those games, and that’s all the memories I need,” Bradshaw said during an 11 a.m. press conference held at Squire Creek. “All of this [memorabilia] represents blood, sweat and tears throughout my career, and it’s nice to know that there is now a permanent home for it.”

The items’ new home will be the memorabilia area of the Charles Wyly Athletic Center, the four-year-old facility that is home to the Bulldog football team.

Tech Athletic Director Jim Oakes said it will be a couple of months before the design company of Murphy and Orr in Atlanta complete the work to secure the encasement where the trophies will be housed, and that securing the items would be the top priority.

Bradshaw, who received a degree in physical education from Tech in 1970, — the same year he was named first team Associated Press All-America – said he hopes the donation will elicit a greater sense of pride in the university.

“When [recruits,] who think they have to go to the bigger schools like Notre Dame and LSU to be successful, visit this university, I want them to see that they can get a good education and great competition here, just like I did,” Bradshaw said. “My four years playing college football were by far the best in my entire athletic career, and I’m just so proud of Tech and the fact that I spent those years here.”

Bulldog football head coach Jack Bicknell who was on hand for the press conference said he is grateful for Bradshaw’s gifts.

“You can’t put a price tag on something like this,” Bicknell said. “This is probably the most significant gift of this kind to any program in America, and by probably the best quarterback to ever play the game. It’s one thing to say Terry Bradshaw played here, but the fact that you can see that tangibly now will mean so much for years to come.”

Bradshaw said that although he’s never been good at looking back at the past, he will forever cherish his years as a Bulldog.

“I’ve always felt that when one door is closed, you have to move on to the next chapter in your life,” Bradshaw said. “But being at Tech is something I have and will always be proud of. This university allowed me to grow as an individual and learn that things aren’t just given to you in life.”

Oakes said Bradshaw’s charity marks a special day for the university.

“This is an incredible donation to the university,” Oakes said. “It will benefit the school and be a great recruiting tool for [our football program.] As Terry mentioned, this is proof that you can come to Tech and become one of the best in the NFL if you choose that route.”