In any media, whether it be radio, the internet, games, sports, or TV; we always associate a person / a face with it. NASCAR had Dale Earnhardt, the WWF had  Hulk Hogan, Late Night TV Had Johnny Carson, and the NFL had John Madden. It is always strange the think that some day, the people you have come to kn ow and love will, someday, no longer be there. For the NFL, today is that day. After 3 decades of work for the NFL as a coach and broadcaster and all around work-horse, John Madden announced his retirement saying that it was just his time to go.

There's nothing wrong. Everyone is going to say 'Madden retires, what's wrong.' There is nothing. There is nothing wrong with me, At some point you know you have to do this.

Love him, or hate him, Madden was the voice of professional football. He changed the way you and I watch football. He taught the new comer the ins and outs of football, the X's and O's. Who else could explain the Cover 2 in a single sentence in a way that everyone could understand? And for those watchers who had a good grasp on the sport, he was always there to give you a new take on something you thought you already knew.

Madden has excelled at virtually everything he has given a go at in the football world - ( With your best madden impersonation ) ' Now here is a guy who doesn't know how to fail at anything! Offensive line in college, All Conference. Get a job coaching at 32 years old - wins a superbowl. Tries a little broadcasting - WHAP! Hall of fame. Catches wind of something called video games - BOOM ! Biggest football franchise in history. And that's what that's all about!

His career as a broadcaster and more notable video game franchise is what has kept him in the spotlight for 30 years and to some degree has over-shadowed other accomplishments. Many people forget that he was the youngest NFL head coach of the time at only 32 years of age. Also the youngest coach to reach 100 wins and in only 10 seasons and a winning percentage of 73! It is interesting to listen to him as a color commentator on TV today as he comes a cross with that "Big dumb line-man" persona. However, when it comes to football, you would be hard pressed to find someone who fully understands the game better than Madden.

All Around Craziness

It's is difficult to imagine Football games with out the crazy antics of John. Drawing all over the screen, Judging how hard the Offensive Linemen are working by the amount of sweat running through their pants, The Boob, Whaps, Doinks and Bangs. And who can forget the Nuclear Turkey every year at thanksgiving.

And it doesn't end with football. You can see or hear John Just about everywhere. Every morning John does a short segment on KCBS radio in San Francisco. You will probably still see his commercial endorsements of Tanactin and Ace Hardware. At 73 years of age, it is a wonder how he kept up with such a rigorous schedule. One of the things that has always stood out was his genuine humbleness. Never once did John come across as being in it for the money. Surely at some point in his career he didn't have to continue to work in such a manner. He was always one to pass credit off to somone else and thank them for the time and effort. In the NFL, that is not something you see every day

The Game

Let us not forget about the Madden NFL series of Video Games. It is hard to believe that it started as a rather modest game in 1988 for the Apple II computers. Which I think had the old green & black screens! Any way you put it, these games were and still are great. John poured everything he new and everything he was into these games.

It was his crazy commentary that brought these games to life. If it were not for Madden himself, these games would not have become what they are and surely would not have been as successfull. They games get a little better every year. The graphics get better, new features are added the game play improves, but It was always john that made the game what it was. Even when he stopped doing the voice over work, he was still very heavily involved in the creation of these games.

John Madden has done a lot for the sport. More importantly, has done a lot of positive things for the sport. There are not many people on the fence about Madden. People seem to either love him or hate him and I suppose that just comes with having such an over the top personality. He was main critisized for "Stating The Obvious" during many football games. Which, I have to agree is true - However, thats what color commentators do in general. Above all else, His role as a commentator was 1 fold, and that was to keep the game fun. And that is what he did. For that, John Madden will be missed.