Truth & Rumors > NFL

Weary Madden to skip Sunday game

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John Madden will sit out NBC's Sunday night game at Tampa Bay to take a breather from cross-country bus trips. He will be replaced by Cris Collinsworth. "I just wanted to have a bye," Madden said Monday. He had been in Jacksonville on Oct. 5, had traveled to San Diego for Sunday's game and would have had to immediately drive south and east for the game between the Buccaneers and the Seattle Seahawks. "The whole thing starts with the Raiders and 49ers not being good," said Madden, who lives in Pleasanton, in northern California. "I never get a home game. I've got five grandkids now and I want to be home a little. Last year, I never got home at all." Madden will actually get two weeks off. On Oct. 26, NBC will not carry a game rather than go head-to-head with Game 4 of the World Series on Fox. He will return Nov. 2 for the New England-Indianapolis game.

New York Times

John Madden, Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images John Madden, Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images
October 14, 2008  05:42 AM ET

He's gonna retire within 2 years. I know a certain someone who has the 411 on this great football man and they relate that he will return and just ride off in the sunset. In a bus, of course.

October 14, 2008  06:39 AM ET

Don't worry John. No one wants to see the Bucs and Seahawks play on Sunday night either..

October 14, 2008  06:57 AM ET

He must have one hell of a carbon footprint.

Why doesn't drive in a Hyundai instead?

October 14, 2008  07:06 AM ET

Oh, I hate to see this! It was hard enough for me when the great voice of Pat Summerall wasn't to be heard anymore calling games, and now it seems that I have to start getting used to the idea of no Madden.

I hate change

October 14, 2008  08:05 AM ET

Give him an I.V. of EPO (Favre's blood) and give him another 20 years with the mic. As long as the ego stays in check that is...lol.

October 14, 2008  08:10 AM ET

JM is getting tired
Well go sit down and chill!

October 14, 2008  08:20 AM ET

Growing old is a beach.

October 14, 2008  08:29 AM ET

a good game to miss i think i'll do the same

October 14, 2008  08:33 AM ET

If the guy would FLY! What is wrong with this man?

Collinsworth is annoying, this will be torture!

He needs to nut-up, honestly he rides in a luxury bus that is like a home, heck lots of retirees tour the country this way by choice--oh and he HAS a driver. It's only 20-24 weeks a year. I want this job.
He has the $$ why not fly the family out to see him for a long weekend?
BS excuse.

October 14, 2008  08:43 AM ET
QUOTE(#9):

If the guy would FLY! What is wrong with this man? Collinsworth is annoying, this will be torture! He needs to nut-up, honestly he rides in a luxury bus that is like a home, heck lots of retirees tour the country this way by choice--oh and he HAS a driver. It's only 20-24 weeks a year. I want this job. He has the $$ why not fly the family out to see him for a long weekend? BS excuse.

I agree. He's making millions and millions a year, to work a couple hours a week. And him not "being home" sounds like a stretch to me. He's off from Jan-September. I understand wanting to see your grandkids, and I respect that.

October 14, 2008  08:45 AM ET

Thank GOD.... I hate listening to Madden!!!

October 14, 2008  09:06 AM ET

What is Madden? Like 90? Time to fly on a plane, grandpa.

October 14, 2008  09:41 AM ET

No trying to be funny, but with gas with being as high as it is, how much does it cost to fill up the Madden Cruiser?

October 14, 2008  09:42 AM ET

He looked and sounded tired on Sunday. He was starting to babble. A brake will do him (and us) some good!

Comment #15 has been removed
October 14, 2008  10:51 AM ET

Collinsworth is horrible. Just horrible. I guess it could be slightly worse though. Just imagine if it were Stuart Scott who got the call. Ouch! I guess I will be turning the volume down on TV and listening on the radio.

October 14, 2008  10:51 AM ET

thank god he is taking a break, I get tired of the same old comments week in and week out! Maybe Collinsworth can convince Madden to stay home full time! Besides, what is with him and not flying!? I don't like flying either but I do it because it is necessary, think of all the gas he is burning up week in and week out by bussing across the country. And how can he be tired? It's not like he is actually driving the bus!

October 14, 2008  10:53 AM ET

Bozo the Clown could do a better job broadcasting the game than collinsworth. I will mute the game and turn on my XM to hear the game.

October 14, 2008  11:03 AM ET

We in NorCal feel your pain, John. A lot of us wish the local teams were decent, and not just so they'd get featured on Sunday nights!

 
October 14, 2008  11:39 AM ET

If he's gonna stick around he better negotiate a better contract next time (with more time off), otherwise, retire.

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