Yes, the unthinkable has happened. NFL and broadcasting legend John Madden is hanging it up. Per his statement:
“I’m 73 years old. My 50th anniversary is this fall. It’s been such a great ride. The N.F.L. has been my life for more than 40 years, it has been my passion — and still is.”
Is it just me, or does that quote seem to leave a little wiggle room? I expect we'll see Brett Favre on TV any second now speculating on whether or not Madden's retirement is for real, or if (come the opening of training camp) he will still have the fire in his considerable belly to strap on the mic on more time.
On a personal note, I do not remember an NFL without Madden calling games (and at 33, I'm no little kid) and his absence is unthinkable to me. If it's any comfort, at least Madden will live on forever in digital form as the guy who's in the football video game. Happy trails, John. You will be missed.
This article appears in Apr 15-21, 2009.