It’s safe to say Terry Bradshaw didn’t win over horse racing fans at Saratoga this afternoon. FOX brought in some of its biggest names to spice up coverage for the 157th Belmont Stakes, but Bradshaw’s appearance quickly turned into a lightning rod for criticism.
The 76-year-old NFL Hall of Famer looked noticeably out of place in the heart of thoroughbred country. From awkward commentary to a factual blunder that set social media on fire, Bradshaw’s performance stood out, and not for the right reasons.
Fans Slam FOX and Bradshaw’s Role On Air
Fans didn’t hold back once Bradshaw appeared on the broadcast. Many questioned why a football legend was covering one of horse racing’s most prestigious events, pointing to NBC’s more expert-driven approach as a better alternative.
“Turned it off once his fat ass came on.” one frustrated viewer wrote on X.
Another user posted, “NBC Sports needs the entire Triple Crown. Fox Sports is bad. Terry Bradshaw bad.”
Others mocked Bradshaw’s credentials. “The only thing worse than Terry Bradshaw talking about football is Terry Bradshaw talking about horses. This is horrible,” someone added.
Things only got worse when Bradshaw was given the honor of calling out “Riders Up” to signal the start of the race. Instead of correctly acknowledging the 157th running of the Belmont Stakes, Bradshaw mistakenly said “137th.” That small slip-up poured more fuel on the fire.
“Terry Bradshaw: ‘…the 137th running of the Belmont Stakes…’ Oooops. It’s 157, big guy,” a viewer quipped.
FOX has yet to address the criticism, but the online reaction painted a clear picture. Fans were hoping for sharp, insightful coverage on one of the sport’s biggest days. Instead, they got a familiar face in an unfamiliar role, and many didn’t find it entertaining.
Not every legendary broadcaster can or should jump into sports. Bradshaw’s charm may work on the NFL desk, but in the winner’s circle at Saratoga, it just didn’t land.
