Terry Bradshaw has already made retirement statement as Fox NFL icon told to hang up mic

NFL broadcasting icon Terry Bradshaw has been urged to retire and hang up the mic after a legendary career, but the 76-year-old has already once issued a statement confirming his plans to quit, only to make a sharp U-turn.

Bradshaw has carved out a successful career as a pundit since hanging up his boots, joining Fox in 1994 after a decade-long stint with CBS.

In 2011, it seemed Bradshaw was ready to leave the limelight, having confessed in 2008 to The Post that he anticipated retiring from television when his contract ran its course: "I think in three years it may just be my time," said the Pittsburgh Steelers great. "I see the energy and the enthusiasm these young guys have, and I think it's time to hang it up."

At the time, reports suggested Bradshaw's talk of retirement blindsided FOX executives who were hopeful of persuading him to stay on past the expiry of his then-current deal, a sentiment that turned into reality.

Despite remaining a familiar face in NFL commentary, recent on-air gaffes have led to .

Bradshaw first drew criticism earlier this month following an attempt to imitate a Carolina accent while discussing an upcoming game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Carolina Panthers.

Viewers expressed dismay on social media, with one stating: "Terry Bradshaw, I'm so sorry, but I can't even understand you anymore. Please leave the studio, man."

The Fox pundit's recent on-air performance was riddled with errors, most notably during week seven NFL highlights commentary.

While showing clips from the clash between the Buffalo Bills and the Tennessee Titans, Bradshaw bafflingly veered off to talk about Nick Chubb's return from injury, causing confusion among his co-hosts and the audience.

Equally cringe-worthy was when Bradshaw interrupted colleague Michael Strahan as he praised Detroit Lions star Aidan Hutchinson for his formidable showing in the team's landslide 47-9 victory against the Dallas Cowboys.

Strahan, a two-time Super Bowl champ with the New York Giants, had been lauding Hutchinson's league-leading sack record of six-and-a-half along with his quarterback pressures before being abruptly cut off by Bradshaw, who blurted out, referencing an earlier gag: "I did the song already. Pressure!"

This interruption followed Bradshaw's unexpected performance on air when he sang a snippet of Queen's 'Under Pressure' while discussing the New England Patriots' decision to sideline Jacoby Brissett in favour of rookie Drake Maye.

Despite no official signs of his broadcasting career ending, two-time Super Bowl MVP Bradshaw reportedly rakes in a hefty $2 million (£1.54m) annually from his role.