NFL legend Terry Bradshaw has opened up about the impact his divorce had on his life, revealing how it led to binge drinking, depression, and fears that he had lost his children.

Bradshaw's second memoir, Looking for Terry, was released earlier this month, 25 years after his previous book. The 78-year-old has since married his longtime partner, Tammy, for a fourth time, survived two cancer diagnoses, and launched his own bourbon brand.

His latest book also explores his battle with depression and the public perception of him as "dumb", a label that has followed him since his NFL playing career.

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The FOX Sports analyst revealed that his depression diagnosis helped him understand the dark periods he continues to experience, with triggers including divorce, injuries, and other major life events. He also credited his wife, Tammy, with making a significant difference, explaining that before their relationship, he would turn to alcohol or impulsive purchases to cope.

"The depression [diagnosis] explained all the dark, dark, dark times, even now still, that I go through and experience. And you go through all the times, what started it, what kicked it in.

"Divorce will kick it in, injury will kick it in, things that are important to you'll kick it. Plus, let's be honest, I take medication, and even with the medication, I still will [sometimes] start sinking," Bradshaw said in an interview with Men's Health.

"You have no idea how big a difference Tammy has made. Because if I didn't have her, I'd be by myself. I'd drink too much, I'd get drunk, or I’d get sad, and I'd buy a horse, or I'd purchase something.

"I was always looking for some fix, and now that's not the case. But to answer your question, I'm not afraid to share my illness or my weaknesses—as some people would want to say it is, but it isn’t a weakness, it's an illness—with other people.

"I know I’ve made a difference in men's lives because I have them come up to me. They come up quietly. It's mainly in a grocery store, and I'll be going down the aisle shopping, and they'll slip over to me [quietly], 'Hey man, I know about your depression. It got me to a doctor and my wife, and I really want to thank you for sharing all that.'”

The 78-year-old was also asked how difficult it was for him to accept help for his mental health. "Well, like I told you earlier, events in your life will trigger it," he added. "I had gone through a divorce, and I had two little girls. That sent me in a hole because I felt like I lost my kids.

"I was in a hole for almost two years. The emotional drag that it had on my life got to a point where it was unbearable, and that's when I decided, I said I gotta figure out what's going on here."

The Pittsburgh Steelers legend also revealed that he recently signed a two-year contract extension with Fox but expects to be replaced after the network broadcasts the 2029 Super Bowl. Bradshaw hopes to avoid an elaborate farewell, although he admits that may not be how things play out.

"I am totally confident on the air, absolutely. Supremely confident. I think I'm going through now what everybody that's in their 70s goes through. I'm 78. I just signed a two-year extension, and I'm pretty sure no matter how well I perform over the next two years, they're going to want to replace me.

I"’m not going to announce my retirement, because in two years when we do the Super Bowl, after my contract is expiring, I don't want anybody to do a tribute. So I'm never going to say I'm going to retire. Because, look, they may say, 'Hey, you're still doing a good job. We'll sign you for another year.' That could easily happen. They're p------ into the wind if they think I’m gonna tell them I’m retiring."