PITTSBURGH -- Hall of Fame quarterback Terry Bradshaw received loud cheers and two standing ovations during a ceremony at halftime of the Steelers-Indianapolis Colts game on Monday night.
It was Bradshaw's first appearance at a regular-season game in Pittsburgh since he retired following the 1983 season, and it was the first time he agreed to be honored for his 1989 induction to the Hall.
Fans chanted "Terry, Terry, Terry" as Bradshaw accepted his No. 12 Steelers jersey from team president Dan Rooney and vice president Art Rooney II.
"It's good to be home," said Bradshaw, who was accompanied on the field by his two daughters. "We all need a football family. We all need a Steeler family. Though I have been somewhat of an enigma to you, believe me when I tell you this: I have missed you all, terribly."
The girls never had a chance to see their father play in person, but the response of the 62,000 fans at Heinz Field showed them what kind of effect he had on the city.
Bradshaw, who led the Steelers to four Super Bowl titles, felt slighted after retiring, and he occasionally spoke critically about former coach Chuck Noll. He felt so estranged from the Steelers that he didn't attend the funeral of team founder Art Rooney in 1988.
But Bradshaw has said he was wrong to have stayed detached from the team, and he said he now regrets his decision not to go to the funeral. He also said his comments about Noll were greatly exaggerated, and he has no problems with the way Noll treated him during his 14-year career.
Bradshaw and Noll hugged during of Hall of Fame center Mike Webster's funeral last month, and Bradshaw said he is determined to stay close to his ex-teammates and the Steelers organization.
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published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
