John Madden to retire

[Tim Tellean]

Madden Retires From Broadcasting

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.

[DeToxRox]

Hire Caliendo. No more FrankTV commercials in October would be great.

[chinaski]

sad, one of my all time favorites. Football wont be quite the same without his voice.

[JediKooter]

No more turducken

[DeToxRox]

I am imagining a retirement press conference:

"Well everyone I am retired officially as of today, which means I won't be working anymore after today. So next September it won't be me doing commentary with Al Michaels"

Then the telestrater comes out and hyjinx ensues.

[gstelmack]

BOOM! - Front Office Football Central

[King of New York]

Cris Collinsworth? I guess I'll be watching a lot of games with the volume turned off. Something about him irritates me to no end.

[Ksyrup]

Originally Posted by King of New York

Cris Collinsworth? I guess I'll be watching a lot of games with the volume turned off. Something about him irritates me to no end.

He's a Gator.

[JediKooter]

Originally Posted by King of New York

Cris Collinsworth? I guess I'll be watching a lot of games with the volume turned off. Something about him irritates me to no end.

It's his voice. He's an american accented Jack Sparrow.

[Eaglesfan27]

Originally Posted by King of New York

Cris Collinsworth? I guess I'll be watching a lot of games with the volume turned off. Something about him irritates me to no end.

Same here. He is one of my least favorite announcers.

[claphamsa]

Thank god. he is the WORST announcer ever... and thats saying alot.

[Koryo]

This must mean Brett Favre isn't coming back for sure.

[Passacaglia]

So who's going to replace Collinsworth?

[Comey]

Originally Posted by Passacaglia

So who's going to replace Collinsworth?

Emmitt Smith.

[panerd]

Yeah Collinsworth is so worthless with an actual analysis of the game. I would rather have Madden explain the center snaps the football and why a coach would go for two at the end of the game if they trail by 8.

[JediKooter]

I really hope that Joe Buck isn't on the list to replace Madden.

[gstelmack]

Originally Posted by panerd

Yeah Collinsworth is so worthless with an actual analysis of the game. I would rather have Madden explain the center snaps the football and why a coach would go for two at the end of the game if they trail by 8.

...when they are trailing by 10 at the time or something...

[Comey]

Originally Posted by JediKooter

I really hope that Joe Buck isn't on the list to replace Madden.

You won't ever have to worry about that (if you're actually serious about this, which I doubt you are).

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by Passacaglia

So who's going to replace Collinsworth?

Our boy, Matt Millen.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Lady H_B thinks Cris Collinsworth looks like a child molester.

[JediKooter]

Originally Posted by Comey

You won't ever have to worry about that (if you're actually serious about this, which I doubt you are).

Not serious, but every time I think of sports announcers, he always comes to mind and then I have to go find a corner and be in the fetal position until I can talk myself out of it.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

I'm trying to figure out if I'm more surprised that Madden's actually retiring or if I'm more surprised that he's even lived 73 years given his 'fitness' level.

We had a guy at my office retire a few months back. They held a retirement party on his 65th birthday, which was also his last day of work. During the party, he dropped dead of a heart attack. Now THAT would suck.

[DaddyTorgo]

yay!!!

[Sun Tzu]

Damn.

Now I wont have someone yapping in my ear about Brett Favre when I'm watching the Patriots play the Dolphins.

[Sun Tzu]

deja vu

[stevew]

Good riddance to bad Faider garbage.

[dbd1963]

Oh. My. God.
I lost posts!

No I didn't this thread just looks amazingly like the other one. Carry on.

[ISiddiqui]

Madden will be missed .

But ya gotta retire sometimes.

[hawk4669]

Collinsworth. Whever I see him I think of Bronson Pinchot for some reason.

*shrug*

Cheers!

[Ironhead]

I despise Collinsworth. It is like he turn the arrogant douchebag meter up to 11 before he comes on air.

[RendeR]

Originally Posted by ISiddiqui

Madden will be missed .

But ya gotta retire sometimes.

No, no....no he won't.


Thank GOD for his retirement. the man hasn't spoken a coherent word about football in a decade.

[ISiddiqui]

You are sooooo misguided.

Enjoy your Collinsworth.

[judicial clerk]

remember the miller lite commercials

[stevew]

Billick

[Passacaglia]

Originally Posted by Passacaglia

So who's going to replace Collinsworth?

Seriously. I don't think Collinsworth will be getting more airtime than he did in previous years, so does it really matter that he's the one replacing Madden?