He talked about his young life growing up on a farm in Louisiana and how he translated the values he learned to the football field and then propelled him to a successful analyst and commentating career. He learned the basic foundations of how to work from his grandmother and grandfather on their family farm. He emphasized the importance of family and the continuing role family plays in his life.
His accomplishments include:
• First player chosen in the 1970 draft
• First quarterback to win four Super Bowl championships
• Two-time Super Bowl MVP
• Four-time All-Pro player
• Co-host and analyst on Fox NFL Sunday
• Film and TV roles
• Author of several books, including most recently “It’s Only a Game”
Despite his numerous accomplishments, Mr. Bradshaw reminded the audience success in life depends on how you define it. Success could be measured by production, financial gain, self-fulfillment or patients helped. Every person has their own measurement of success and needs a support system to reach their goals.
“Everyone has a blessing and everyone has a gift; the important thing is for people to tap into it,” said Mr. Bradshaw. “And then after we tap into it, the important thing is to pursue it. A lot of people don’t know what they want to pursue because they want it handed to them. I’m not one of those people. There isn’t a day goes by that I don’t realize how fortunate I am. Every one of us in here has something that has spurred us on.”
He challenged the audience to go to bed every night thinking about the things they’ve enjoyed during the day and how they’ve had an impact on others. Two things he has done his whole life every day:
• First thing in the morning, he wakes up and sits on the edge of his bed, takes in some air, and say, “Man, what a great day. I’m so happy to be alive.”
• Smiling, no matter what mood he’s in.
“I find who the nice people are and that’s who I do business with,” he said. Physicians, patients, administrators — everyone can learn how to smile, he said.
