John Madden retires from broadcasting

John Madden

Credit: NBC

Hall of Fame coach, video game icon and broadcasting legend Jon Madden announced on Thursday (April 16) that he's decided to retire from the booth.

In a statement, Madden declares: "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 has been an NFL broadcaster for 30 years, most recently calling this February's Super Bowl as well as doing Sunday night games for NBC since 2006. Madden has won 16 Emmys for Outstanding Sports Analyst/Personality. We don't need to tell you that nobody else has ever equaled that number.

"I spent all day in the Bay Area yesterday with John and tried every way I could to make sure he was sure about his decision," says NBC Sports Chairman Dick Ebersol in a statement. "And in true John Madden fashion, he was sure. He said it best when he simply said 'It's time' ... and I admire him for that. To put any speculation to rest, John has just decided to retire because it's time –- nothing more, nothing less. We will never see or hear another man like John Madden. We will sorely miss him because he was the most fun guy ever to just hang out with."

Madden joined the booth after a decorated coaching career that included a 103-32-7 record with the Oakland Raiders, including seven AFC Western Division titles and a Super Bowl XI win over the Minnesota Vikings. 

For many fans, Madden may be most familiar from the EA Sports video game "Madden NFL Football," the top selling sports game of all-time, with more than 65 million copies sold since it premiered 20 years ago. The NBC press release makes no mention of whether or not Madden plans to continue with the game following this retirement.

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Daniel Fienberg
Executive Editor

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A long-time member of the TCA Board and a longer-time blogger of "American Idol," Dan Fienberg writes about TV, except for when he writes about movies or sometimes writes about the Red Sox. But never music. He would sound stupid talking about music.