[1] Bradshaw originally signed a letter of intent to Virginia and arrived in Charlottesville for football practice, but was kicked off the team by Al Groh before his first season started, after being arrested for underage drinking and running from police.

He was fourth in the National Football Conference with a 26.0-yard kickoff return average when the Giants replaced him with veteran Reuben Droughns.

Injuries to teammates Brandon Jacobs and Derrick Ward, and the disappointing play of Droughns, gave Bradshaw his first regular season carries against the Minnesota Vikings.

He had a great performance in the NFC Championship game in Green Bay, including a 52-yard would-be touchdown run in the fourth quarter that was negated by a holding penalty.

[13] He contributed greatly to his team's success in Super Bowl XLII against the New England Patriots, gaining 45 yards (the most of all running backs) and even recovering a fumble by quarterback Eli Manning.

The Giants went on to win the Super Bowl, defeating the previously undefeated New England Patriots 17−14, and ending their opponent's bid for a perfect 19–0 season.

[15] He was reduced to third string running back due to a strong performance by Derrick Ward, who finished the season with more than 1,000 rushing yards.

[16] In 2009, Bradshaw was second string running back behind Brandon Jacobs with Derrick Ward's departure to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

After a two turnover game against the Eagles in Week 9, Bradshaw was demoted to make room for Brandon Jacobs's return.

[21] Bradshaw scored the go-ahead and eventual game-winning touchdown with a 6-yard run with 57 seconds remaining in Super Bowl XLVI against the New England Patriots.

The touchdown was unusual in that the Patriots permitted Bradshaw to score unopposed, to prevent the Giants from running out most of the remaining time before winning the game with a field goal.

Bradshaw, aware of the Patriots' strategy, attempted to stop himself from crossing the goal line but fell backward into the end zone.

[24] Bradshaw was released by the Giants on February 6, 2013, to clear cap space and after the emergence of the rookie David Wilson.

[26] After an injury sustained in Week 3, Bradshaw was put on injured reserve due to needing neck surgery.

Prior to his injury in Week 6, Bradshaw had a career-high six touchdown receptions, leading all NFL running backs, and was on pace to break Marshall Faulk's record of 9.

[33] In 2004, Bradshaw was dismissed from the football team at the University of Virginia after pleading guilty to underage drinking and resisting arrest.

Two years later in June 2008, he was sentenced to 60 days in Abingdon Regional Jail for violating probation for a sealed juvenile charge.

[38] On June 22, 2015, Bradshaw was suspended for one game by the NFL for violating the league's policy and program of substance abuse.