Madden Retires....

[petedog9]

I actually beat stomperrob to the punch on breaking news. Your slippimg my man... lol....

Madden retires after 30 years in boothComment Email Print Share ESPN.com news services

John Madden, a fixture in NFL broadcast booths for 30 years, has decided to retire, he announced Thursday in a statement released by NBC Sports.

NFL.com Video

John Madden discusses what the Hall of Fame means to him.
Madden, a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and former Super Bowl-winning coach of the Oakland Raiders, has been a game analyst and TV personality since walking away from coaching in 1979.

"It's time. I'm 73 years old. My 50th wedding anniversary is this fall," Madden said. "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," he added. The NFL has been my life for more than 40 years, it has been my passion -- It still is. ... 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."

Madden worked as lead analyst for all four networks broadcasting NFL football games, forming tandems with Pat Summerall at CBS and Fox and Al Michaels at ABC and NBC. He won 16 Emmy awards for outstanding sports analyst/personality.

His last game in the booth was Pittsburgh's Super Bowl victory over Arizona.

He also lent his name and voice to EA Sports' popular "Madden NFL Football" video game, which is the top-selling sports video game of all time.

Madden led the Raiders to an overall record of 103-32-7, seven AFC West titles and a victory over the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl XI. His .750 winning percentage remains the highest of any coach in NFL history. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2006.

[stomperrob]

Wow, did you ever (I gotta start getting up earlier, lol)! Hard to believe it's been 30 years.I know he has his critics, but there's no denying his passion for the game - I for one will miss him.

[ivesaidway2much]

I guess with Favre officially retiring, Madden no longer had the will to keep announcing games.

[bungle613]

Too bad... dude made me laugh every broadcast.

[petedog9]

LOL.... Its Ok Rob.. Every dog has his day...

I think Collinsworth is the likely replacement... But what about Brett Favre? You know he is going to be sought after by all of the networks as a studio guy or possible color guy along side of Al Michaels...

[biju]

LOL.... Its Ok Rob.. Every dog has his day...

I think Collinsworth is the likely replacement... But what about Brett Favre? You know he is going to be sought after by all of the networks as a studio guy or possible color guy along side of Al Michaels...

Please do not let it be Collinsworth. That guy is a broatcast monkey for east coast teams. If they sit on the east coast, they are automatically a better team. At least *try* to find someone that doesn't have parts of his face shoved up the backside of Tom Brady.

[Nfl Fan]

I for one will miss him.

I for two will too.

[TheDiplomats]

This is sad. I always enjoyed Madden's commentary. It wasn't that informative, but there was something about the way he did it that I seemed to like.

[SniperShot]

I guess with Favre officially retiring, Madden no longer had the will to keep announcing games.

Yep. This.

The days of the "Brett Favre Challenge" are now completely over. It sure was a fun ride while we had it though. Now the question is who joins Michaels in the booth for SNF? Please not Collinsworth.

[TGM]

Now the question is who joins Michaels in the booth for SNF? Please not Collinsworth.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news dude, but yeppers...it's Collinsworth.

Linkage: http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d ... nfirm=true