Terry Bradshaw makes retirement statement with FOX favourite replaced

Terry Bradshaw, the NFL legend, made a statement that he has no intention of retiring during FOX NFL Sunday show, following the retirement of his long-time colleague Jimmy Johnson. Johnson recently stepped down from his role at FOX Sports after a remarkable 25-year stint, with Rob Gronkowski stepping in to fill his shoes. The pair had worked together on the show for a quarter of a century, forming a close bond over the years.

Gronkowski, a former New England Patriots star, has now taken up the mantle full-time, joining the network alongside his ex-teammate Tom Brady, who continues to serve as the network's top colour commentator. During the opening segment of their Sunday show, Bradshaw touched on Johnson's retirement and acknowledged that he is now the oldest member of the team.

Bradshaw kicked off the show by saying: "Gronk, good to have you here. You know Jimmy's not with us anymore. He's retired so Gronk's in his stead, and so what that means is the age difference is saving about 60 years.

"So this group has all of a sudden got younger, and that gives me another two years for sure!"

Johnson's final year with FOX was in 2024, having missed several shows due to health issues in recent years before deciding to step away following the Super Bowl.

Reflecting on his retirement, Johnson said: "As you know, probably the most fun I've ever had in my career, and that's counting Super Bowls and National Championships, was at FOX Sports.

"I have an absolute ball with my friends on the set and the best friends I've ever had there with FOX.

"And then I tell you, on top of that, I love working for Eric Shanks, our CEO and our producer, Bill Richards, but I've made a extremely difficult decision.

"I've been thinking about it for the last four or five years and I've decided to retire from FOX and I'm gonna miss it. I'm gonna miss all the guys, and I'll see them occasionally, but it has been a great run starting back 31 years ago."

Gronkowski had long been tipped as the natural successor to Johnson for 2025, having collaborated with the team intermittently during the prior season and maintaining ties with FOX since 2019.

The iconic tight end had previously served as a part-time pundit, but now steps up to become a permanent fixture on the programme, having originally joined FOX in 2019 before making his NFL comeback with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers - claiming another Super Bowl triumph.

Gronkowski and Brady's former Patriots teammate, Julian Edelman, is also now part of FOX Sports, serving as a pundit.