Its the last time John Madden will be broadcasting. Its the last time John Madden will be officially representing the league and the game he gave his life too.
Given that, you have to ask yourself a question.
Why did this author, who nobody (compared to Madden) knows, decided this was the ‘moment’ to embarrass this man?
I’d love to know who the broadcaster of ANY NFL game is that doesn’t make a mistake or SIX each and every game.
All John Madden has done is become highly successful in TWO CAREERS. He will most likely be inducted a SECOND TIME into the NFL Hall of Fame, this time as a broadcaster.
Tear him down if you wish. He’s never had an off field incident, never been arrested for anything, and the only people that seem to take issue with this man are in effect NFL pissants in comparision.
Outside of that....great article....(eyes rolling)
Oh, and his name bears one of the most played console games in world history...something he helped in his ‘spare time’.
It’s the nature of the sport, even the broadcasters get heat.
One thing I would mention is that I agree with a lot of the things Madden laments about in terms of the changes in pro football over the last 25 years.
I first got a sense of this disconnect when Deion Sanders became an NFL star. As I watched Madden call games I could almost feel the discomfort he felt in having this zany character on the field who was a tremendously gifted athlete but added an element of clownishness to the game that had its downside.
I didn't know that, I will miss him. I have always enjoyed his down to earth style and the respect he always gives to and gets from players, managers and fellow broadcasters.
He doesn't try to throw out hundred dollar words or "wax eloquently" (whatever that means).
In my opinion, the most obnoxious and arrogant hack out there is Chris Collinsworth. Whenever he is on, I turn the channel........
But back to Madden, I just enjoy listening to him. Kinda like listening to your favorite grandfather talk about things. And if he errs in some of the facts he gives, I wouldn't know it unless somebody told me........and who cares.