The World Of Broadcasting Has Taken Yet Another Shocking Turn This Week: John Madden Retires

After many glorious years of broadcasting, the time has finally come for John Madden to hang up the announcing boots. The 73-year old hall-of-famer has officially retired from broadcasting. Via the USA Today.

NBC has confirmed that John Madden has retired and will not be on the air next season.
"It's time. I'm 73 years old," Madden said in a statement.

"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."

NBC has scheduled a conference call at noon ET today.

But it seems likely will Madden, who has been a lead NFL game analyst for CBS, Fox, and ABC before joining NBC for its Sunday games, would be replaced by former NFL receiver and longtime network analyst Cris Collinsworth.

It's indeed very nice to see him go out like this. For John Madden, now is indeed the time. The only time that I ever really had a gripe with Madden was during the Monday Night massacre that featured the Eagles at home in a snowstorm getting pummeled by the Seahawks. The Eagles had their alternate black jersies on and he inexplicablly called them "green". My family to this day continues to make fun of him for that. But I digress.

Madden's coming off what has been considered by many to be one of the best broadcasted Super Bowls of all time, and without a doubt in my mind, of this decade. But as time dwindles on, you start to lose it and if he were to continue, that would likely happen to John Madden. His final game was a good one and I certainly believe that he has a more than suitable replacement behind him in Cris Collinsworth.

As far as Al Michaels goes, remember it was John Madden who said "I'll retire when Al Michaels does", not the other way around, as I have frequently seen it misconstrued. In the pair of games that they worked last year (an SNF game where Madden did not want to travel cross country only to go back the next week and the Pro Bowl), they seemed like they would make a solid unit.

Madden's last game was a great game, one that will be remembered for quite some time, and I know if I were a legendary broadcaster, it is that kind of game (Super Bowl XLIII) that I would want as my swan song. Best of luck to John Madden in the future!