Tim Tellean
04-16-2009, 12:12 PM
Madden Retires From Broadcasting
<!-- begin blogger thumbs --> <!-- end blogger thumbs --> John Madden, the former Super Bowl-winning coach for the Oakland Raiders who became perhaps the most popular NFL television analyst in history, is retiring from broadcasting, NBC has announced.
"It's time," Madden said in a written statement released by the network. "I'm 73 years old. My 50th wedding anniversary is this fall. I have two great sons and their families and my five grandchildren are at an age now when they know when I'm home and, more importantly, when I'm not.
"... It's been such a great ride.... The NFL has been my life for more than 40 years, it has been my passion--it still is. I appreciate all of the people who are and were such an important part of the most enjoyable, most fun anyone could have... that great life with the teams, the players, the coaches, the owners, the league... my broadcasting partners Pat [Summerall] and Al [Michaels]... the production people and the fans... is still great... it's still fun and that's what it makes it hard and that's why it took me a few months to make a decision.
"I still love every part of it--the travel, the practices, the game film, the games, seeing old friends and meeting new people... but I know this is the right time."
Dick Ebersol, the chairman of NBC Sports, said in a written statement: "I spent all day in the Bay Area yesterday with John and tried every way I could to make sure he was sure about his decision. And in true John Madden fashion, he was sure. He said it best when he simply said 'it's time'... and I admire him for that.
"To put any speculation to rest, John has just decided to retire because it's time--nothing more, nothing less. We will never see or hear another man like John Madden. We will sorely miss him because he was the most fun guy ever to just hang out with."
Madden spent 30 years in broadcasting and won 16 Emmy Awards, and gained an enormous following because of his ability to make viewers both understand and enjoy games. He was known for his offbeat style and his football sound effects as well as his insight into the nuances of the sport, and for his disdain of flying that led him to crisscross the country in a bus for his TV duties.
He is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame who coached the Raiders to a regular season record of 103-32-7 and a triumph over the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl XI. He has the highest regular season winning percentage of any coach with at least 100 victories, according to the Hall of Fame. He became the Raiders' coach in 1969 shortly before his 33rd birthday, and retired from the sideline in 1979. He began his TV career that year.
He also was successful as an advertising pitchman for several companies, and his "Madden NFL Football" video game made him the face of the sport to a new generation of fans.
Cris Collinsworth to replace Madden in the booth.
<!-- begin blogger thumbs --> <!-- end blogger thumbs --> John Madden, the former Super Bowl-winning coach for the Oakland Raiders who became perhaps the most popular NFL television analyst in history, is retiring from broadcasting, NBC has announced.
"It's time," Madden said in a written statement released by the network. "I'm 73 years old. My 50th wedding anniversary is this fall. I have two great sons and their families and my five grandchildren are at an age now when they know when I'm home and, more importantly, when I'm not.
"... It's been such a great ride.... The NFL has been my life for more than 40 years, it has been my passion--it still is. I appreciate all of the people who are and were such an important part of the most enjoyable, most fun anyone could have... that great life with the teams, the players, the coaches, the owners, the league... my broadcasting partners Pat [Summerall] and Al [Michaels]... the production people and the fans... is still great... it's still fun and that's what it makes it hard and that's why it took me a few months to make a decision.
"I still love every part of it--the travel, the practices, the game film, the games, seeing old friends and meeting new people... but I know this is the right time."
Dick Ebersol, the chairman of NBC Sports, said in a written statement: "I spent all day in the Bay Area yesterday with John and tried every way I could to make sure he was sure about his decision. And in true John Madden fashion, he was sure. He said it best when he simply said 'it's time'... and I admire him for that.
"To put any speculation to rest, John has just decided to retire because it's time--nothing more, nothing less. We will never see or hear another man like John Madden. We will sorely miss him because he was the most fun guy ever to just hang out with."
Madden spent 30 years in broadcasting and won 16 Emmy Awards, and gained an enormous following because of his ability to make viewers both understand and enjoy games. He was known for his offbeat style and his football sound effects as well as his insight into the nuances of the sport, and for his disdain of flying that led him to crisscross the country in a bus for his TV duties.
He is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame who coached the Raiders to a regular season record of 103-32-7 and a triumph over the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl XI. He has the highest regular season winning percentage of any coach with at least 100 victories, according to the Hall of Fame. He became the Raiders' coach in 1969 shortly before his 33rd birthday, and retired from the sideline in 1979. He began his TV career that year.
He also was successful as an advertising pitchman for several companies, and his "Madden NFL Football" video game made him the face of the sport to a new generation of fans.
Cris Collinsworth to replace Madden in the booth.