# John Madden Retires From Broadcasting, NBC Says **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [April 16, 2009, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-madden-retires-from-broadcasting-nbc-says/493287 "2009-04-16T14:49:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ColonelDax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/71e660/32.png) [@ColonelDax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ColonelDax)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2009, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-madden-retires-from-broadcasting-nbc-says/493287/1 "2009-04-16T14:49:12Z")
[Looks](http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/30246064/) like the end of an era in TV coverage of sports. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2009, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-madden-retires-from-broadcasting-nbc-says/493287/2 "2009-04-16T14:51:26Z")
Wonder how many times he’ll mention Brett Favre in his press conference. ---
**Author:** ![Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/intergalactic_gladiator/32/112_2.png) [@Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Intergalactic_Gladiator)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2009, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-madden-retires-from-broadcasting-nbc-says/493287/3 "2009-04-16T15:17:48Z")
Boom! Brett Favre Brett Favre Brett Favre! The team that scores the most points is the team that’s gonna win. That being said, it is an end of an era, but he’s been growing increasingly bad with his skills in the past decade or more. Sure, he had a lot of otomotopea and cliches along the way, but didn’t he start out as a pretty decent commentator? Now everyone is just going to remember him for the video game. Plus I almost feel kind of sorry for the guy the way Frank Caliendo portrays him. Additionally, I thought he stepped up a bit when he got away from Pat Summeral, which I find kind of funny to say. ---
**Author:** ![fiddlesticks](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiddlesticks/32/18129_2.png) [@fiddlesticks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fiddlesticks)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2009, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-madden-retires-from-broadcasting-nbc-says/493287/4 "2009-04-16T15:19:31Z")
Cris Collinsworth, heir apparent? I can’t believe I just typed that. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2009, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-madden-retires-from-broadcasting-nbc-says/493287/5 "2009-04-16T15:24:02Z")
End of an era for sure. I always felt Madden got sort of a bad rap. He shouted obvious things sometimes and he unfortunately introduced America to the turducken, but when he wasn’t doing that, he could offer more information than a lot of other commentators I’ve heard. ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2009, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-madden-retires-from-broadcasting-nbc-says/493287/6 "2009-04-16T15:26:41Z")
> [@Intergalactic\_Gladiator](#): > > Boom! Brett Favre Brett Favre Brett Favre! The team that scores the most points is the team that’s gonna win. > > That being said, it is an end of an era, but he’s been growing increasingly bad with his skills in the past decade or more. > > Sure, he had a lot of otomotopea and cliches along the way, but didn’t he start out as a pretty decent commentator? Now everyone is just going to remember him for the video game. Plus I almost feel kind of sorry for the guy the way Frank Caliendo portrays him. Additionally, I thought he stepped up a bit when he got away from Pat Summeral, which I find kind of funny to say. Otomotopea??? Do you mean [onomatopoeia](http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/onomatopoeia)? ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2009, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-madden-retires-from-broadcasting-nbc-says/493287/7 "2009-04-16T15:27:45Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > End of an era for sure. I always felt Madden got sort of a bad rap. He shouted obvious things sometimes and he unfortunately introduced America to the turducken, but when he wasn’t doing that, he could offer more information than a lot of other commentators I’ve heard. Don Meredith, anyone? 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Jimmy\_Joe\_Meager](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/bb73d2/32.png) [@Jimmy\_Joe\_Meager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jimmy_Joe_Meager)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2009, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-madden-retires-from-broadcasting-nbc-says/493287/8 "2009-04-16T15:33:39Z")
While I agree with others that at one point he was tops, in the past few years he became increasingly unwatchable IMHO. Kind of bumbling and buffoonish (him, not the parody of him). I’m happy for him that he was successful for so long, but I’m also happy for me that he won’t be in the broadcast booth any more. BOOM!! ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2009, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-madden-retires-from-broadcasting-nbc-says/493287/9 "2009-04-16T15:43:39Z")
For some apparently rare reason he never really bothered me at all, certainly not near to the degree Deirdorf, McGuire and Costas do. I’ll miss ol’ John. He and Al were a pleasant distraction and I’m sad to see him go. While I wonder who will replace him, I grudgingly admit wondering the same thing when Meredith left… and Frank… ---
**Author:** ![Hoopy\_Frood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hoopy_frood/32/8452_2.png) [@Hoopy\_Frood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hoopy_Frood)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2009, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-madden-retires-from-broadcasting-nbc-says/493287/10 "2009-04-16T15:48:45Z")
> [@DSYoungEsq](#): > > Otomotopea??? > Do you mean [onomatopoeia](http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/onomatopoeia)? Why is that word not spelled like it sounds? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2009, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-madden-retires-from-broadcasting-nbc-says/493287/11 "2009-04-16T15:53:00Z")
90% of the time, since I started watching him (I’m 24), he was saying completely inane things or was incomprehensible. The other 10% you’d be thinking “damn, he really knows his stuff.” ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2009, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-madden-retires-from-broadcasting-nbc-says/493287/12 "2009-04-16T15:53:27Z")
> [@Hoopy\_Frood](#): > > Why is that word not spelled like it sounds? 😉 It is, if you are Greek. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/intergalactic_gladiator/32/112_2.png) [@Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Intergalactic_Gladiator)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2009, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-madden-retires-from-broadcasting-nbc-says/493287/13 "2009-04-16T16:04:51Z")
> [@DSYoungEsq](#): > > Otomotopea??? > Do you mean [onomatopoeia](http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/onomatopoeia)? Yes. Yes that is what I meant. Fat fingers why have you betrayed me again?!!! Anyway, I’ve seen disparaging comments about Colinsworth before but I kind of like him. He seems to be a little dry but knowledgeable of the game so I can appreciate that. Why the hate? And on that note, why does it seem like finding commentators for the NFL is so difficult? AS I mentioned, I like Colinsworth. I also like Moose Johnston and I think Aikman does a serviceable job, but beyond that there isn’t much else. Joe Buck is a clod. ---
**Author:** ![drm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e57/32.png) [@drm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drm)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2009, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-madden-retires-from-broadcasting-nbc-says/493287/14 "2009-04-16T16:15:59Z")
> [@Snarky\_Kong](#): > > 90% of the time, since I started watching him (I’m 24), he was saying completely inane things or was incomprehensible. The other 10% you’d be thinking “damn, he really knows his stuff.” That says it for me (I"m a bit older) and for me the 10% was more than worth it. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2009, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-madden-retires-from-broadcasting-nbc-says/493287/15 "2009-04-16T16:26:03Z")
> [@Intergalactic\_Gladiator](#): > > Joe Buck is a clod. I liked Joe Buck right up until he went nutso because Randy Moss _pretended_ to moon Lambeau. Now, I agree. Clod. ---
**Author:** ![pricciar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f4b2a3/32.png) [@pricciar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pricciar)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2009, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-madden-retires-from-broadcasting-nbc-says/493287/16 "2009-04-16T16:32:34Z")
I loved Madden when I started watching football as a little kid, and I never thought less of him. I don’t care when broadcasters say obvious things. And, I liked when he was being funny, or just going on and on about offensive lineman or anyone who got dirty. I’ll miss him, for sure. It’s too bad, nothing against Collinsworth, but he isn’t nearly as fun as Madden. Thats two greats lost in one year, for me. Kalas and Madden. Atleast Madden is still alive. ---
**Author:** ![Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/intergalactic_gladiator/32/112_2.png) [@Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Intergalactic_Gladiator)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2009, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-madden-retires-from-broadcasting-nbc-says/493287/17 "2009-04-16T16:39:02Z")
There was a game with Madden and Summerall in Tampa and as they came back from a commercial, the cameras were on the pirate ship built in the stadium. Summeral and Madden were dicsussing there possible carreers as pirates. It was hilarious. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2009, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-madden-retires-from-broadcasting-nbc-says/493287/18 "2009-04-16T16:53:21Z")
> [@Intergalactic\_Gladiator](#): > > Anyway, I’ve seen disparaging comments about Colinsworth before but I kind of like him. He seems to be a little dry but knowledgeable of the game so I can appreciate that. Why the hate? Chris is way more agreeable now than he used to be. Earlier in his career he was arrogant and often times negative and whiny. He’s come lightyears since then. I agree that now he’s quite tolerable. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2009, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-madden-retires-from-broadcasting-nbc-says/493287/19 "2009-04-16T17:42:31Z")
I actually like Chris Collinsworth. He seems kind of like a douchebag but he’s knowledgable about the game and is pretty quick on his feet verbally. Madden was a mixed bag - too often inane stuff but sometimes he’d comment on a replay and point out interesting and relevant stuff that most commentors miss. ---
**Author:** ![gazpacho](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/6f9a4e/32.png) [@gazpacho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gazpacho)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2009, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-madden-retires-from-broadcasting-nbc-says/493287/20 "2009-04-16T17:51:07Z")
> [@Snarky\_Kong](#): > > 90% of the time, since I started watching him (I’m 24), he was saying completely inane things or was incomprehensible. The other 10% you’d be thinking “damn, he really knows his stuff.” I liked Madden. That 10% was more that most commentators could muster. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-madden-retires-from-broadcasting-nbc-says/493287.md?page=2)