Midway through last night's beatdown, Al Michaels nonchalantly noted that John Madden wouldn't be in Tampa for next week's Seahawks-Bucs game, and awkwardness promptly ensued. It came out of nowhere, especially since Madden is, ironically, the Brett Favre of the broadcast booth, having called 476 straight games over a 28-year television career. But at 72, and as someone who refuses to step foot on an airplane, Madden makes his way to venues via the aptly named Madden Cruiser.
Which means for this current stretch -- games in Jacksonville, San Diego and Tampa Bay on consecutive Sunday nights -- the Cruiser would log 4,782 miles in just 14 days.
Interestingly, it wasn't Madden's idea to take a bye week, but NBC Sports Chairman Dick Ebersol. Still, Madden didn't dismiss it out of hand:
"I wasn't reluctant as much as I was 'let's wait and see how it goes,'" Madden said in a telephone interview Monday. "Last year we had a couple of tough (trips). I still enjoy the travel, but you'd like to be home once in a while. I've got five grandchildren. It's a quality of life issue. The 49ers and the Raiders not being good also has hurt, because you never get a home game. Even when L.A. had a team, I'd get to be home. When you see the grand kids, it's like they've grown two feet. So I'd like to check in once awhile, and this is a good chance to do that."So, to recap: this is all Al Davis' fault. If the Raiders weren't so unwatchable, maybe Madden would get to call a home game more than once a decade. Thanks, old man. Thanks, for nothing.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
10-13-2008 @ 7:14PM
Skippy said...
About time! It was about 402 games ago that Madden said anything insightful about the game.
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10-14-2008 @ 11:45PM
chirpy826 said...
Hey, Skippy, when was the last time you said anything insightful??? Probably not very recently, ha, ha, ha. Easy to take shots anonomously thru the internet. Madden RULES. Better than GW Bush. You're an asswhipe, Skippy. Go back to m-bating.
10-14-2008 @ 8:45AM
zack said...
You're an ingrate and a punk Skippy. This man has given his life to the game that most of us love. And you have the audacity to disrespect this man after he's given us YEARS of his life. I'm sure John would have been just as happy sitting his old bones at home a few years ago and never coming back and just collecting of the madden game sells, which he do quite comfortably i'm sure. Morons like you should be barred from ever having anything to say about the great game of football again. You disgust me, sir.
10-14-2008 @ 9:48PM
R said...
Some of us prefer not to listen to Madden, no reason to get personal folks.
10-13-2008 @ 10:17PM
Albert said...
Hey Skippy , Did mommy skip your medication today ? Dumbass.
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10-14-2008 @ 12:27PM
WILL said...
SKIPPY MAKING FRIENDS , I SEE
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10-14-2008 @ 12:46PM
Travis said...
Ahhh, Is this streak really worth mentioning? He calls a game once a week. It's not like he's playing.
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10-15-2008 @ 11:23AM
Arwkin said...
Skippy (as much as I hate to say it) is right. I turn the volume off on games Madden is announcing as he has completely lost all knowledge of the game. Don't get me wrong he used to be a great coach and I wouldn't take that away from him. But he doesn't even know formations. When there are 4 receivers in the game they aren't running the wishbone. Just a hint there Madden that any pop warner football player could pick up. Second, is to stop finding a pony in every game and riding him. Every time he does a Favre or Brady game he only mentions his name like 50 - 60 times telling us how great the guy is. It is annoying just call the game! Even better, shut up and let your co-host call the game.
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