How NFL veteran Terry Bradshaw found up performing at a Brooks & Dunn event in Oklahoma
At the same time, NFL star Terry Bradshaw and country music hero Toby Keith were both fighting cancer. On February 5, 2024, Keith passed away tragically at the age of sixty-two.
Bradshaw now takes advantage of every chance to honor his cherished colleague.
Bradshaw is a former NFL player and current commentator, but not many people are aware that he is also a horse breeder, actor, and country music performer. He is no stranger to performing, having already covered one of Keith’s most moving songs, “Don’t Let the Old Man In.”
Keith penned “Don’t Let the Old Man In” during a conversation with another famous friend, Clint Eastwood. In the end, Eastwood’s 2018 film The Mule featured the song.
“Don’t Let the Old Man In” is a song about aging and passing away.But it’s also a song about living life to the fullest.
In September 2023, Keith sang his most memorable version of “Don’t Let the Old Man In” at the People’s Choice Country Awards. Ultimately, that was his last TV show appearance.
In Keith’s memory, Bradshaw has since performed “Don’t Let the Old Man In” a few times. After he covered the song in Branson, Missouri, Kix Brooks of Brooks & Dunn got in touch with him and asked if he would want to play at one of their upcoming performances.
Bradshaw agreed and surprisingly attended the two artists’ most recent event in Thackerville, Oklahoma.
Before his unexpected tribute show, Terry Bradshaw reflects on his friendship with Toby Keith.
As he took the stage, Bradshaw spoke about his relationship with Keith and how they became close through their own battles with cancer.
But if I were talking to Toby, I would say, “Hey, Bud, how are you doing?” He used to say, “Man, one day good, one day bad.” What God has in store for me is unknown to me. I continued, “Well, wait, I’m praying for you.” He continued, “I’m praying for you, buddy.”
Now that Keith is sadly no longer with us, Bradshaw wants to make sure his legacy lives on with songs like “Don’t Let the Old Man In.”Bradshaw said to the audience, “I hope I can do it justice.”
Before the song started, Bradshaw said, “Toby, I love you, buddy,” giving Keith one more shout-out. When I sing this song, I hope you like it.
With Brooks & Dunn playing in the background, Bradshaw started his poignant performance of “Don’t Let the Old Man In” onstage. The audience was so captivated by his singing that they cheered and applauded enthusiastically when he finished the song.
Watch the video below to hear Terry Bradshaw sing Toby Keith’s “Don’t Let the Old Man In.”
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