RIP John Madden

[Herman Cain]

John Madden passed away today. My best personal memory of him was from the late 80s . At that time I lived in the Upper West Side in NY . There was grilled chicken  restaurant called Chirping Chicken. Used to see John picking up his Chicken there frequently . Seemed so in character for him.

[Lennys Tap]

John Madden passed away today. My best personal memory of him was from the late 80s . At that time I lived in the Upper West Side in NY . There was grilled chicken  restaurant called Chirping Chicken. You to see John picking up his Chicken there frequently . Seemed so in character for him.

Good story, Herman. No matter that Madden became quite the "celebrity", he always remained a "regular guy" - warm and approachable.

[The Sultan]

I don't know if there is a sports figure more universally beloved than him.  Loved as an announcer by Boomers and GenXers....and as a video game voice by Millenials and GenZers.  Pretty much a cheerleader for America's favorite sport, who made things interesting but also realized it was just a game.  Sure his schtick got old at times, but at least it was genuine.

[Uncle Rico]

I don't know if there is a sports figure more universally beloved than him.  Loved as an announcer by Boomers and GenXers....and as a video game voice by Millenials and GenZers.  Pretty much a cheerleader for America's favorite sport, who made things interesting but also realized it was just a game.  Sure his schtick got old at times, but at least it was genuine.

I thought about this today.  If we had social media during Madden's early days, would he have been as beloved?  We share instant dislike about announcers with thousands of people during every game.

Or, was Madden so unique, that he set the bar that others have attempted to copy and mostly failed?  I think this is the case.  The 90's and early 2000's were full of Madden copycats and largely void of unique voices.

[JWags85]

I don't know if there is a sports figure more universally beloved than him.  Loved as an announcer by Boomers and GenXers....and as a video game voice by Millenials and GenZers.  Pretty much a cheerleader for America's favorite sport, who made things interesting but also realized it was just a game.  Sure his schtick got old at times, but at least it was genuine.

I was thinking of late stage Madden vs Vitale.  Madden had his schtick but he was still an insightful and valuable analyst.  He wasn't just a hokey soundboard of catch phrases.  And he stepped away before he lost it

[The Sultan]

I was thinking of late stage Madden vs Vitale.  Madden had his schtick but he was still an insightful and valuable analyst.  He wasn't just a hokey soundboard of catch phrases.  And he stepped away before he lost it

I think he really toned it down when he went to NBC. I think ABC/ESPN thought it was about the schtick, and never grasped that it was a byproduct of his knowledge and enthusiasm.

[lostpassword]

Wow.  I knew he was well-respected as a coach and had a SB win but didn't realize how impressive his record was until I just looked it up.  10 years.  103 W, 32 L, 7 tie.  Average year was basically 10-3-1.  Never lost more than 4 games in a 14 game season.  Playoffs 8 of 10 years.  AFC championship game 7 of 10 years.  Only real blemish is a 1-6 record in those championship games.

[The Sultan]

Wow.  I knew he was well-respected as a coach and had a SB win but didn't realize how impressive his record was until I just looked it up.  10 years.  103 W, 32 L, 7 tie.  Average year was basically 10-3-1.  Never lost more than 4 games in a 14 game season.  Playoffs 8 of 10 years.  AFC championship game 7 of 10 years.  Only real blemish is a 1-6 record in those championship games.

I think they were only upset once in those games too. Had to deal with peak Dolphins and peak Black Curtain Steelers.

[real chili 83]

Interesting that his special on Fox was within just a couple days of his passing.

[Lennys Tap]

I think they were only upset once in those games too. Had to deal with peak Dolphins and peak Black Curtain Steelers.

Black Curtain? I thought Pittsburgh was known as the Steel Curtain.

[The Sultan]

Black Curtain? I thought Pittsburgh was known as the Steel Curtain.

LOL. Of course. No idea where I got Black Curtain from. 

[real chili 83]

Interesting that his special on Fox was within just a couple days of his passing.

He saw the show three days before his passing.

[Mutaman]

John Madden passed away today. My best personal memory of him was from the late 80s . At that time I lived in the Upper West Side in NY . There was grilled chicken  restaurant called Chirping Chicken. Used to see John picking up his Chicken there frequently . Seemed so in character for him.

Madden lived at the Dakota. He bought a  co-op from Gilda Radner. He used to sit in the courtyard and talk to Yoko.

https://ny.curbed.com/2013/9/4/10201712/john-madden-finally-sells-at-the-dakota-for-3-9-million