NFL great Terry Bradshaw clarifies role in opening jammed plane door after claims of heroism

Fox News - Apr 12th, 2025
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Terry Bradshaw, the Pro Football Hall of Famer, found himself in an unexpected situation during a flight from Dallas-Fort Worth to Pittsburgh. The plane's boarding door malfunctioned mid-flight, leading to speculation that Bradshaw, who was onboard to attend a dinner for his former teammate Mel Blount, played a role in fixing the issue. A fellow passenger reported that the pilot humorously credited 'the strength of one of our passengers' for resolving the problem, implying Bradshaw's involvement. However, Bradshaw later clarified via Instagram that he did not help open the door and credited the maintenance crew for fixing the issue within 15 minutes.

The incident provided an amusing anecdote for Steelers fans aboard the flight, many of whom joked about Bradshaw using his legendary strength to assist. Bradshaw's trip was to celebrate Mel Blount, another former Pittsburgh Steelers player and Hall of Famer, highlighting the storied history of the team and its players. The event underscores the enduring camaraderie and public interest in former NFL stars, as well as the humorous situations that can arise during travels involving high-profile sports figures.

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RATING

6.4
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The story is a light-hearted account of an incident involving Terry Bradshaw, effectively capturing the humor and public interest surrounding the event. It is mostly accurate, with some discrepancies regarding Bradshaw's role in the incident, which are later clarified. The article is clear and engaging, appealing to a wide audience due to Bradshaw's celebrity status and the unusual nature of the event. However, the story lacks depth and transparency, with limited source variety and a focus on entertainment rather than critical analysis. Its impact and public interest are modest, primarily serving as an amusing anecdote rather than a catalyst for broader discussion or change. Overall, the story succeeds in entertaining readers but could benefit from more comprehensive reporting and verification of claims.

RATING DETAILS

7
Accuracy

The story accurately reports Terry Bradshaw's trip to Pittsburgh and the incident involving the jammed boarding door. However, there are discrepancies regarding Bradshaw's involvement in opening the door. Initially, the story suggests that Bradshaw might have helped open the door, supported by a passenger's account. Bradshaw later clarified on social media that he did not assist, crediting the maintenance crew instead. This inconsistency highlights a need for more precise verification of events. The story's claim about Bradshaw attending a celebratory dinner for Mel Blount aligns with available information, reinforcing its accuracy. Overall, while the story is mostly accurate, the conflicting accounts about Bradshaw's role require careful consideration.

6
Balance

The story presents a balanced view by including both the initial passenger account and Bradshaw's clarification. However, it primarily focuses on the humorous aspect of the incident and Bradshaw's celebrity status, potentially overshadowing other perspectives. The story could have benefited from more viewpoints, such as comments from other passengers or crew members, to provide a fuller picture of the event. While the article doesn't overtly favor any side, it leans towards entertaining rather than critically analyzing the situation.

8
Clarity

The story is written in a clear and engaging manner, with a logical flow that makes it easy to follow. The language is straightforward, and the tone is light-hearted, consistent with the humorous nature of the incident. The article effectively conveys the main events and Bradshaw's clarification, making it accessible to a wide audience. However, the story could benefit from clearer differentiation between reported facts and speculation, particularly in the initial account of Bradshaw's involvement.

6
Source quality

The article relies on passenger accounts and Bradshaw's social media post, which are credible sources for firsthand information. However, the story could have enhanced its reliability by including statements from the airline or maintenance crew to corroborate the technical details of the door malfunction. The reliance on a single passenger's account introduces potential bias, and the absence of additional authoritative sources limits the depth of the reporting.

5
Transparency

The article lacks transparency in explaining the methodology behind its reporting. It does not disclose how information was obtained from passengers or the context of Bradshaw's social media post. The story could improve transparency by clarifying the process of gathering and verifying information, as well as any potential conflicts of interest. The absence of these elements makes it challenging for readers to fully assess the reliability of the claims presented.

Sources

  1. https://www.si.com/nfl/terry-bradshaw-helped-trapped-passengers-escape-plane-at-pittsburgh-airport
  2. https://awfulannouncing.com/nfl/terry-bradshaw-rescued-stuck-airplane-passengers.html
  3. https://www.essentiallysports.com/nfl-legends-news-stuck-on-plane-seventy-six-yo-terry-bradshaw-rescues-trapped-passengers-as-pilot-pays-tribute-to-steelers-legend/
  4. https://www.cbsnews.com/pittsburgh/news/pittsburgh-steelers-legend-terry-bradshaw-rescues-passengers-flight/
  5. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHT2WpT1x7E