John Madden Retires: Appreciation Thread

by ProfessorBigelow on Apr 16, 2009 8:43 AM PDT in News Comment 58 comments

According to NBC Sports and NBC Sports Chairman Dick Ebersol Hall of Fame coach and legendary broadcaster John Madden is retiring from announcing football games. Said Madden,

"It's time. 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. ... 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."

At least for me, no color-commentator comes even close to Madden. He announced on FOX for a while, making him initially an NFC guy, so I got used to him announcing Niners games during their reign through the 90's. When he moved to MNF, and eventually SNF, he could make even a blowout sound like one of the most fascinating games ever played. Pat Summerall and John Madden will go down in history, in my mind at least, as the greatest announcing duo in Professional Sports history.

Think of this as an open thread to show your love for John Madden and his career as one of the greatest NFL announcers to don a microphone.

P.S. - Credit to bayboy to getting the initial FanShot about this up (I'm getting kind of used to saying that now).

FOOCH'S NOTE 9:50AM: I don't have an official source, but The Big Lead is reporting that Chris Collinsworth has already been named as Madden's replacement in an NBC conference call.

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Madden

I’m sure people have their complaints about his later years, but even still I enjoyed what he brought to the booth.

by Fooch on Apr 16, 2009 8:51 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

commentating beast

sad to see him go….who’s gonna replace him next to al michaels

by Dub4lif3 on Apr 16, 2009 8:55 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

This came a lil late

Please check my fanshot..

Madden will be missed!

Joe and Steve were under the same system for years... don't expect Smith to be super so soon.

by bayboy on Apr 16, 2009 8:57 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I gave you the credit bayboy...

But I wanted to get a Post up so the Googlers and those on Yahoo! sports would see it. FanShots don’t get distributed to the interwebs.

Blind devotion.

by ProfessorBigelow on Apr 16, 2009 9:01 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

my bad.. didn't see that

you can erase that last comment…. I always enjoyed the Tinactin commercials and parities made by guy from Frank tV made in Mad TV

Joe and Steve were under the same system for years... don't expect Smith to be super so soon.

by bayboy on Apr 16, 2009 9:21 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

WHO READS FANSHOTS?!

by sfgfan on Apr 16, 2009 9:22 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

what's a fanshot?

is that like a diary?

Still defending Rich Aurilia, and the Niners' classic unis

by wjackalope on Apr 16, 2009 9:23 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

RE: what's a fanshot?

Do they involve pearl necklaces? If not, I don’t care what a fanshot is.

Don't sweat it. I'm illiterate.

by methodrampage on Apr 16, 2009 10:11 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I read this on another board...

and LMAO…

“Without Favre, he just couldn’t go on…”

Well, we're waiting....

by drummer on Apr 16, 2009 9:30 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

lol that's the first thing I said

"I'll be honest with you, I love his music, I do, I'm a Michael Bolton fan. For my money, I don't know if it gets any better than when he sings "When a Man Loves a Woman"

by 49erLou on Apr 16, 2009 11:42 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

He still had Hines Ward

by bignerd on Apr 16, 2009 4:47 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I got a Job fo Him

He can stay in the Bay Area and work with Singletary as the new GM next Year. Still knows Football and a good judge of talent. Why not? It would certainly be a Large improvement in that Department!!!

by LASVEGASNINER on Apr 16, 2009 9:51 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

How about a survey for a new GM?

McC, Holmgren, Madden and a few more names. Lets see what the fan think who would be the best choice.

by LASVEGASNINER on Apr 16, 2009 10:05 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

If Holmgren...

… came to SF, I think it’d be more in a VP of Football operations kind of role. I guess it’s possible he could GM too, but I think Holmgren is actually a pretty big McCloughan supporter.

by sfgfan on Apr 16, 2009 10:20 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

But he would still take the Job,

Another feather in his Cap if he would bring the Niners to another ring or two.

by LASVEGASNINER on Apr 16, 2009 10:32 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

??????

what’s gonna be the new name of the madden video game now.

by onexmanxshow49 on Apr 16, 2009 9:53 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

EA Sports Kornheiser NFL 2010

by musketeer54 on Apr 16, 2009 9:54 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Just kidding

I can’t imagine them actually changing the name… at least for as long as people still know Madden’s name.

by musketeer54 on Apr 16, 2009 9:57 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah.

Being such a big entity in NFL history, I could definitely see EA sticking with the Madden name (not to mention the size of the Madden franchise as it stands).

by sfgfan on Apr 16, 2009 10:03 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Gotta Run, featuring next years best RB?

by LASVEGASNINER on Apr 16, 2009 9:54 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Madden son is a major player with Company

by LASVEGASNINER on Apr 16, 2009 9:58 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Madden doesn't really do anything for the games anyways

He hasn’t been invloved, thank goodness, in the commentary for quite awhile now. The only aspect I remember him for in Madden ’09 is the the Madden IQ module.

Don't sweat it. I'm illiterate.

by methodrampage on Apr 16, 2009 10:13 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Would rather have Madden than Collinsworthless

Fans stuck in the 80's are lame. Respect the past, live in the now.

by maveric_87 on Apr 17, 2009 7:19 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Good ridance

Seriously, one of the worst sports commentators of all time. My football watching experience will be greatly heighten now that Madden is gone.

Don't sweat it. I'm illiterate.

by methodrampage on Apr 16, 2009 10:10 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Wow, one of the Greatert broadcaster in TV

Seldon do we see an Icon with as much magitude such as Him! Sorry, but you may catch a lot of heat.

by LASVEGASNINER on Apr 16, 2009 10:19 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Madden was horrible

Half of his commentary is completely wrong. He’s a notch below Joe Morgan, and I don’t think highly of Joe Morgan. Madden might have been good for the casual fan, which is the only reason I can come up with as the why he even has a job, but for a serious fan, like myself, I found him extremely annoying at detrimental to the broadcasting of NFL football.

Madden can take his mobile-house-bus, his tur-duck-en and shove both of them up his senile ass.

I’m thinking about taking the rest of the day off to revel in this glorious day marked by his retirement.

Don't sweat it. I'm illiterate.

by methodrampage on Apr 16, 2009 11:55 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Tony Kornhole is way worse than Madden

Fans stuck in the 80's are lame. Respect the past, live in the now.

by maveric_87 on Apr 17, 2009 7:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

What's your point?

Don't sweat it. I'm illiterate.

by methodrampage on Apr 19, 2009 1:46 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ha!

Trick’s on you! That is, if Collinsworth really is his replacement.

by sfgfan on Apr 16, 2009 10:21 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

You got to be kidding, He was canned years ago.

by LASVEGASNINER on Apr 16, 2009 10:23 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not an official source...

…. but Fooch’s update to the main post has this link.

by sfgfan on Apr 16, 2009 11:12 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Collinsworth is awful. How can he replace someone like Madden?

"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, either way, YOU'RE RIGHT !"

by Eastbayjim on Apr 16, 2009 12:40 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

He is aweful...

… but like Joe Buck, he has some pull in the broadcasting industry, I believe.

by sfgfan on Apr 16, 2009 12:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Easily

They both suck.

Don't sweat it. I'm illiterate.

by methodrampage on Apr 16, 2009 1:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Collinsworth

I don’t like his voice but he knows his stuff.

by Fooch on Apr 16, 2009 1:51 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I learn a lot more about the game from listening to Collinsworth than Madden, and that’s the metric that matters to me most.

"[Greg] Vaughn is in a funk so deep, George Clinton wearing a miner's helmet couldn't find him."
- Jim Baker, ESPN.com, May 2002

by achiappanza on Apr 17, 2009 7:46 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

wow

and what, is kornehieser better?

good luck with that.

he will be missed.

MURS for President!!!!!!!

by jtoj on Apr 16, 2009 11:00 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well...

… I think there are quite a few (definitely not the majority) who feel that TV football announcers all pretty much suck. It’s what you get when you have people constantly rotating from team to team, never really building a rapport or even a connection with the players they’re supposed to be covering.

In all honesty? I watch NFL games, primarily on mute. Much like I do when I watch Giants games not being covered by the Miller/Krukow/Kuiper/Flemming group.

by sfgfan on Apr 16, 2009 11:10 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

RE: Mute

It would be great if you could adjust the various aspect of TV volume like you can video games. Like turning the commentrary ~~down~~ off and turning the on-field sounds up. That to me, would make for an awesome watching experience.

Don't sweat it. I'm illiterate.

by methodrampage on Apr 16, 2009 1:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Exactly!

by sfgfan on Apr 16, 2009 2:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

damn

that’s a great idea!

by J2daZ on Apr 17, 2009 4:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

another option

You could have something like the SAP button where you can listen to a different set of announcers.

by Fooch on Apr 17, 2009 6:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

No

I also, think Kornehieser (I’m trusting your spelling) is an abortion on Monday nights and Jaws annoys the crap out of me too.

Don't sweat it. I'm illiterate.

by methodrampage on Apr 16, 2009 11:58 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

+1

Joe and Steve were under the same system for years... don't expect Smith to be super so soon.

by bayboy on Apr 16, 2009 2:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think Jaws...

… is best suited for that job he held for so long: an analyst on MN Countdown or whatever it was they had before Monday Night games.

by sfgfan on Apr 16, 2009 2:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

You're kidding right?

On the video games alone, his commentary was better than what they have now? Have you not heard Chris Collinsworth on the game? It makes me want to shoot myself.

And Joe Buck is the worst announcer ever. Write that down.

by Blank x2 on Apr 16, 2009 12:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

yeah I can agree with that

And Joe Buck is the worst announcer ever. Write that down.

"I'll be honest with you, I love his music, I do, I'm a Michael Bolton fan. For my money, I don't know if it gets any better than when he sings "When a Man Loves a Woman"

by 49erLou on Apr 16, 2009 12:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sorry to see him go.

I’m old enough to remember him prowling the sidelines in Oakland abusing the zebras, animated and enthusiastic, winning the Superbowl the year before the 9ers did in 1982. When he moved into broadcasting, he was the best color commentator since Dandy Don Meredith and his weekly “Turn out the lights, the party’s over.”song. His real talent was as a teacher, though, and he always said that great coaches were also great teachers. He put that into practice in his commentary, taking the time to explain what the play was intended to do and why it may have gone wrong. He also made sure to give credit where credit was due, especially to the linemen and linebackers and blockers who rarely get the press. And though I never met him, I always knew he was an ordinary guy like the rest of us, just doing his job the best he could. I’ll miss him.

by MontanaPass on Apr 16, 2009 10:53 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Dandy Don was great. It isn't so much how much they knew about football, as it is the way they talked.

They were both regular guys who talked to the fans like they were there in our frontrooms. I do remember watching the Raiders and Madden was never still on the sidelines.

"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, either way, YOU'RE RIGHT !"

by Eastbayjim on Apr 16, 2009 12:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't remember it that way

IIRC, it was a Flores-led team that won with Plunkett in the 1980 season. Madden’s SB winners were in the mid-70s. And in those days, the Raiders were fun.

"[Greg] Vaughn is in a funk so deep, George Clinton wearing a miner's helmet couldn't find him."
- Jim Baker, ESPN.com, May 2002

by achiappanza on Apr 17, 2009 7:48 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

You're right, it was Flores.

Got my years mixed up. But I was watching him in the 70s, too. Can’t remember exactly which year he retired., but I loved watching him tangle with the Zebras. He looked like he would just explode at times.

by MontanaPass on Apr 17, 2009 9:56 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

can't say i'm gonna miss the guy

In all honesty I just wish all the commentators would retire. I’m sure there are a few out there that are awesome at their jobs but really I could do without em.

"I'll be honest with you, I love his music, I do, I'm a Michael Bolton fan. For my money, I don't know if it gets any better than when he sings "When a Man Loves a Woman"

by 49erLou on Apr 16, 2009 12:09 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

oh and Collinsworth

that guy is an idiot. This is why I like to watch Monday Night Football in loud crowded bars.

"I'll be honest with you, I love his music, I do, I'm a Michael Bolton fan. For my money, I don't know if it gets any better than when he sings "When a Man Loves a Woman"

by 49erLou on Apr 16, 2009 12:11 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

This

In all honesty I just wish all the commentators would retire.

I think fans really just need a play-by-play person. If they want to understand why a team does things a certain way, there are plenty of analysts before and after the game that can provide that.

by sfgfan on Apr 16, 2009 12:53 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Is it just me?

Am I the only one who notice how during the Sunday Night Football games that he would talk about 2 players like the whole game? Ex: “Big ol’ Jamal Williams” like 3 times then “LaDainian Tomlinson is a great running back…” “Peyton Manning can just about make any throw on the football field” (not sure he said those things directly but I’ll miss thoses they were the best)

49ers WILL make the playoffs this year.

by iaalexeeff on Apr 16, 2009 1:01 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

LMAO

I think he’s so used to say that because of the game that he forgets that he is watching an actual game!

Joe and Steve were under the same system for years... don't expect Smith to be super so soon.

by bayboy on Apr 16, 2009 2:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

How bout him being on Favres gonads nonstop

My Team picture for fantasy football was of madden and favre getting married and favre was the bride.

Fans stuck in the 80's are lame. Respect the past, live in the now.

by maveric_87 on Apr 17, 2009 7:24 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Boom!

Love Madden. He’s been doing it all my life so it’s going to be weird without him. Can’t believe they are going with Chris Collinsworthless….. I’d rather have Dan Fouts in there. Collinsworth sucks. He’s a panzy who’s still crying about getting beat in the SB twice by us. His bests comments are about how Montana cost him millions of dollars. Priceless. Dude your knees cost you millions of dollars, Montana just made you look worse thats all.

Fans stuck in the 80's are lame. Respect the past, live in the now.

by maveric_87 on Apr 17, 2009 7:18 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs