John Madden Retires

Just three days after a legendary broadcaster passed away another is calling it quits. John Madden, involved with professional football in some way for the last 40 years, is retiring from broadcasting. He had spent the last three years with NBC doing Sunday Night Football with Al Michaels.

"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. 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 and Al… 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."

Madden is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a coach and is the most decorated NFL broadcaster of all-time. He won 16 Emmy Awards for Outstanding Sports Analyst/Personality and his own video game is entering its 21st year of existence.

Madden's final game as a broadcaster may go down as his finest work. Madden and Michaels worked Super Bowl XLIII, an exciting game in its own right, to rave reviews. It was Madden's 11th Super Bowl broadcast.

I really think he didn't have the will to work games when he knew Brett Favre wasn't in an NFL stadium somewhere gunslinging interceptions.