I am fat and not very athletic. But I have FORGOTTEN more about football than you have ever known my friend.

 

^^I'm a moron

 

Go get a room you two...

 

No you're not. Don't be so hard on yourself.

Your knowledge base just isn't very useful.

 

I'm one of those weird ones...instead of watching the sports...I played the sports...












...on Nintendo













...and maybe in real life...

 

I don't doubt it. Now go start your Yugo with the Rolls' key!

 

How dare you, sir! You know fully well that I am partial to Kia. I hereby challenge you to a duel at 20 paces, post-haste!!!

 

Just a flesh wound!

 

I honestly believe that the success of his Madden NFL game franchise deleteriously affected his performance in the broadcasting booth. Remember that JM is not exactly a spring chicken. Though he's not actively involved in day to day developments of each forthcoming edition, he is involved on the business and promotional end of things. Basically, he works a lot for an older guy.

About 4 years ago, I got to attend a BBQ hosted by JM at his HQ in an office park here in the Bay Area, and several things struck me:

1) Madden NFL is a juggernaut of a business, based upon how his HQ was set up.
2) JM is getting on in years. He's a big guy physically, and little kids are oftentimes scared of him (sharp features, shaggy eyebrows, hard squint to his expression).
3) The celebrated "turducken" that JM rhapsodized about is pretty disappointing to eat. "Tastes like chicken" was the response I heard most often, and I pretty much agreed.

Sometimes I'll come across a classic NFL game that Madden was involved in broadcasting, and I'm always struck by how much more vibrant and engaged Madden used to be.

I agree that he was one of the better broadcasters we'll ever see. Enjoy your retirement, John, and spend plenty of time with your 5 grandkids......