Just two weeks before a life-altering storm ravaged Erin Bradshaw’s Texas ranch, an air of calm enveloped the property. But as the morning light struggled to pierce through the aftermath, the once-pristine land now bore the marks of devastation—a tornado that swept through in early March tore apart sheds, leveled structures, and left fields strewn with debris. Yet amidst the chaos, Erin, seated on her ranch once more, hinted at something significant on the horizon—a declaration that might just mark another major turning point in her life.
This time, it wasn’t a storm like previous days; it was a storm of “enjoy your life vibes” kind of deal. Erin shared on her Instagram story, saying, “We’ve hit retirement status. We are watching a storm with an alcoholic drink.” I mean, can you picture it? Sitting next to your Valentine, sipping your favorite drink, watching a storm or rain—it’s romantic weather perfection! Honestly, that sounds like an ideal mix of date night and retirement vibes wrapped into one. And for Erin? She just decided to dive headfirst into the chill retirement life. But wait… what about her incredible horse-riding career?
Here’s the thing about Erin: she’s always been open, raw, and unfiltered—whether in the middle of a storm or facing something she’s been through before. This woman has spent most of her life out of the typical spotlight, even though she grew up as the daughter of Terry Bradshaw. Yeah, he’s that guy—a Steelers legend with four Super Bowl rings and a massive football broadcasting career. But Erin didn’t just live in her dad’s shadow.
Nope, she built her own legacy in the world of competitive equestrian sports. She’s got this special connection with her horses that started well before anyone began filming her. “My dad put me on a horse when I was 5 and really let me start living that dream,” she told Cowgirl Magazine once. Horses are seriously her world. All those years of hard work and soul-deep bonds—they’re why losing one hits harder than most people will ever experience. Oh, and by the way? She’s not just good at what she does; she recently snagged another horse title too!
Fast forward to the 2024 APHA World Championship Show in Amateur Senior Western Pleasure, where Erin and her horse Elicious—or “Eli,” as she calls him—added yet another world title to their collection! This wasn’t some one-off win either. Eli has racked up five World Championships and a Reserve World Championship in Western Pleasure with Erin before this one. Not to brag (okay, maybe a little), but Eli’s also earned four more World Championships in Open Western Pleasure. Pretty amazing, right?
And judging by all the cheering fans at the show and the buzz online after their win? It’s clear Eli and Erin are crowd favorites! Over the years, they’ve achieved some pretty amazing milestones, such as winning the Non-Pro 2, Non-Pro 3, Amateur Junior Pleasure, and Amateur Senior Pleasure events together. I mean, that’s quite the track record! So, what’s their secret?
When asked how they keep Eli—and his 18-year-old sire, John Simon—at the top of their game for so long, Erin was super real about it: “We show them very seasonally,” she explained. “We ask them to give us 150 percent and then give them time off. We try to peak them once a year, not push them 12 months out of the year, and that seems to work out really well for them.” Smart strategy, right?
That level of dedication to doing what’s best for her horses doesn’t just highlight her skills—it shows how much she loves her job. But here’s the twist: leaving behind everything you’ve worked for and choosing retirement? That’s a big, bold decision. While Erin is having a blast in retirement, her dad is dealing with some serious health issues.
Terry Bradshaw’s health: A look at his struggles
Terry Bradshaw has worn a ton of hats throughout his career in football, and honestly, he’s still going strong. From dominating as the Pittsburgh Steelers’ starting quarterback from 1970 to 1983, after being the top pick in the 1970 NFL draft, to everything he’s done after hanging up his cleats, the guy just doesn’t slow down.
The 1978 NFL MVP didn’t just stop at football—he crushed it in broadcasting too, snagging three Sports Emmy Awards as a studio analyst. In an interview with Fox 32 Chicago, Bradshaw even opened up about some pretty personal stuff, sharing how he battled two types of cancer—one being a super rare type of skin cancer. The good news? He’s cancer-free now. On top of all that, he revealed he was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, which caused him to gain weight because of the steroids he was put on. Now, though, Bradshaw says he’s dropped 48 pounds.
NEW ORLEANS, LA – FEBRUARY 08: Terry Bradshaw readies to pass the a Super Bowl LIX football during a broadcast of Fox NFL, American Football Herren, USA Sunday on Bourbon Street ahead of Super Bowl LIX between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles on February 8, 2025, in New Orleans, LA. Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire NFL: FEB 08 Super Bowl LIX EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon250208009
“I ended up getting rheumatoid arthritis, and so they put me on steroids, and it took forever to find out what steroid worked,” Bradshaw said. “And so I put on so much weight, and I got big, and I just couldn’t get it off. So Tammy started me on one of those shots.” He admitted it wasn’t the easiest journey but added, “I’ve been on this shot for about a year now, and I’ve lost 48 pounds, and now I’m doing periodic, I don’t stay on it.”
Even with everything he’s been through, Bradshaw never really stepped out of his role as a leader. Back in 2017, he helped push awareness for rheumatoid arthritis by taking part in the American College of Rheumatology’s Simple Tasks campaign during Rheumatic Disease Awareness Month. This just goes to show—Terry’s always leading, no matter the situation. Honestly, that’s exactly what fans love about him.
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