On this day, January 27th, in 1970, the Pittsburgh Steelers held the number one overall pick in the NFL Draft. The team was about to make a selection that would forever alter the course of their franchise, and the whole NFL.

Back in 1970, the NFL Draft was nowhere near the spectacle it is today. In today's world, thousands of people flood host cities to watch rounds broken up night-by-night. The first round of the modern NFL Draft is regularly one of the most viewed sports events of the year. On that night, in prime time, they only do a single round.

But in 1970, the whole thing took place in a small ballroom at the Belmont Plaza Hotel in New York City. Draft picks weren't doing photo shoots on stage, there wasn't giant pauses when delivering picks, it was all business.

Which you can see, as we watch video of then NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle announce the top pick in the 1970 NFL Draft, Shreveport's Terry Bradshaw:

That top pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers was Terry Bradshaw, quarterback, Louisiana Tech.

Bradshaw is a Shreveport native, and alumni of Woodlawn High School. After his storied career at Woodlawn, Bradshaw went to Louisiana Tech in Ruston. Though his college career got off to a rough start, he really broke out in his Junior season in 1968. That year he threw for 2,890 yards and 22 touchdowns. He led the Bulldogs to a 9-2 record that year. In his Senior year, he threw for 2,314 yards and 14 touchdowns, with the team going 8-2.

But it was more about what Bradshaw looked like on film than the results. His physical gifts made his a relative consensus to be the top overall pick in the 1970 NFL Draft.

That pick was given to the Steelers after they won a coin toss against the Chicago Bears. Because both teams ended tied for the worst record in the 1969 NFL Season.

Terry Bradshaw Gets Star On Hollywood Walk Of Fame
Photo by Vince Bucci/Getty Images
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Once Bradshaw got going in Pittsburgh, it was history. He led the Steelers to 4 Super Bowl Championships, won 2 Super Bowl MVP Awards, and was named the NFL MVP in 1978. He led the league in multiple stats during his career, was named an All-Pro, chosen for three Pro Bowls, and won the Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year in 1979.

Bradshaw is part of both the College Football Hall of Fame, and Pro Football Hall of Fame.

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Gallery Credit: Getty Images

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