J-Speaks: The Return of The Other Splash Brother

 

June 13, 2019 was not only the final game at Oracle Arena as well as the conclusion of the Golden State Warriors reign as back-to-back NBA champions it was this moment where they lost one half of their “Splash Brothers” dynamic backcourt to a devastating knee injury. As he was about to make his return, said “Splash Brother” suffered a ruptured Achilles just before the start of training camp a season ago. On Sunday after months of grueling rehabilitation, the Warriors got the other half of the “Splash Brothers” back.

After 941 days away from basketball because of a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee and a torn right Achilles, Klay Thompson returned to the hardwood to score 17 points on 7/18 from the field, including 3/8 from three-point range in 20 minutes the Warriors (30-9) 96-82 win on Sunday night versus the Cleveland Cavaliers (22-18).

When Thompson name was announced during the introduction of the starting lineups at to the faithful at Chase Center, everyone stood up with their phones flashing in the background.

Thompson broke the seal on the contest by scoring on a running layup 40 seconds into the game, which was a sign that the five-time All-Star was feeling good after not seeing any action in his team’s last 175 regular season games.

“I was so excited I saw a lane to the basket that I just took the opportunity,” Thompson said. “After that I thought it was going to be one of those nights where I might be unconscious. I did not shoot as well as I wanted to but I’m so happy I can even look at the stat sheet and see my name there. It’s been a long run. I’m not going to say it’s equivalent to winning a championship but it was pretty close.”

What really excited those in attendance on Sunday night was late in the second quarter when Thompson drove around a Cavaliers defender near the three-point line and scored on a one-handed throwdown dunk over center Jarrett Allen and Thompson snarled and pounded his chest as he walked back to midcourt.

“When those lights are the brightest, I just felt bouncy,” Thompson said in his postgame presser about that play. “It felt so good to through that down. I did not expect that. I’m very pleased with my efforts tonight.”

“I missed some shots I always make but I’m just happy to be able like I can say that because I couldn’t say that the last two years.”  

After working on a stationary bike before the start of the second half, Thompson began the third quarter making consecutive three-pointers, including one that put him over 12,000 career points and 1,800 career made three-pointers, becoming the second fastest in NBA history, 616 games to make 1,800 threes.

To go along with his 17 points, Thompson added three boards, an assist and two steals in 20 minutes and when he left the floor to a thunderous applause and ovation from those at the Chase Center, who also chanted “Klay! Klay!”

To put into context how big of a night this was for Thompson, Draymond Green, who has been a teammate of Thompson’s and Stephen Curry’s for a decade convinced the Warriors coaching staff to be introduced with the starting lineup, despite the fact that he was not going to play because he injured his calf during pregame warm-ups.

That happened and Green seconds into the game was subbed out.

That is the kind of respect Klay Thompson has from his team, especially the other two pillars of it in Curry and Green, who led the Warriors to five consecutive NBA Finals appearances (2015-19) and three championships (2015, 2017, and 2018).

The last time those three shared the court together was as mentioned was Game 6 of the 2019 Finals at Oracle Arena versus the eventual NBA champion Toronto Raptors, where Thompson on a breakaway drive to the basket tore the ACL in his left knee.

In an interview with NBATV’s Dennis Scott prior to his return over the weekend, Thompson said of that moment that he felt his knee shift but did not know the severity that he tore his ACL because he never had anything like that happen to him in his basketball life.

“I remember my knee not hurting until the drive home,” Thompson said to Scott. “When that all wore off, I was diagnosed with a torn ACL.”

“It was such a long run. Five straight years in The Finals. Hundreds of basketball games played in that time, and I accepted I could take a year off and get my body right.”

In November 2020 though, Thompson tore his right Achilles, which he told Scott was “so unexpected” because he was 13 months out of rehabbing his left ACL and just a matter of days from the start of training camp, and when he went for a jump shot, he tore is Achilles.

“When you get hurt a couple of times, you think, “why me a lot?”

“You can’t hold on to that stuff,” Thompson added. “I accepted my reality as time went on because you only got one option, and that’s either dig out of the whole that’s you’re in. And I give myself a lot of credit for fighting through the last 13 months to get to where I’m at now. Seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.”

That is not to say that there were a plethora of tough moments Thompson had to fight through. He said to Scott that he never lost confidence that he would get return to the floor but said he did not know the type of player he would be.

The rehabilitation that Thompson had to do, he said that it was hard to see in the early and middle stages of rehabbing of him being the player he once was.

That loud roar Thompson heard though when his name was introduced during the aforementioned starting lineup intros, he said those days rehabbing on a squat rack or on the shuttle board worth “every single moment.”

“It was a very special moment,” Thompson said of being introduced as a starter again. “I’m just so grateful to just compete again,” Thompson said. “It’s been a hard road but I’m just also proud of myself for persevering. It’s not the equivalent to winning a championship. But man, it was pretty freaking close.”   

What Thompson has endured in trying to get back to the hardwood over the last 30 months has given him a greater appreciation for the opportunity to do something that a majority of  people get the chance to do, making a living playing a professional sport.

The Warriors not only saw their reign as NBA champions conclude but they lost Thompson for the entire 2019-20 season.

Following Thompson’s injury on that night, Curry was on the other end of the floor slamming the basketball out of frustration and then sat on the floor in sheer sadness about what just happened to his teammate.  

As happy as Thompson was to be back on the floor after a two-year absence, Curry and head coach Steve Kerr were just as happy to have Thompson back on the court.

A great deal has changed though with not just the Warriors, but the landscape as well as the entire world has changed completely since the last time Thompson was on the hardwood in the late spring of 2019.

Of the eight Raptors who played in that title clinching Game 6 win at Oracle Arena, only Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet remain.

Thompson’s former teammate in perennial All-Star and 2014 Kia MVP Kevin Durant, who was the Finals MVP in 2017 and 2018, who suffered his own right Achilles tear in Game of the 2019 Finals at the Raptors bolted in free agency to join the Brooklyn Nets that summer, teaming up with fellow perennial All-Star, NBA champion, good friend, and former Boston Celtic guard Kyrie Irving and eventually former Houston Rockets perennial All-Star and 2018 Kia MVP James Harden.

Thompson’s last game came six months before global scientist identified the Coronavirus (COVID-19), which three months later put a pause on not just the 2019-20 NBA season but the entire sports world and the world at large.

What followed was unprecedented weirdness. Profound sadness, especially for the loss of five-time NBA champion, Hall of Famer and Lakers legend Kobe Bryant.

That was followed by unrelenting pleas for social justice in the wake of the murder of George Floyd at the hands of a Minneapolis, MN police officer.

We had the conclusion of the 2019-20 NBA season in Orlando, FL, which experienced a brief shut down after another African American was shot at the hands of law enforcement in Wisconsin. When play eventually resumed, the LeBron James, Anthony Davis led Lakers won their 17^th title in franchise history in a mostly empty gym in October 2020.

The NBA as well as pro sports eventually welcomed back fans to arenas in 2020-21 and the Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, Jrue Holiday led Milwaukee Bucks won their second title in franchise history, their first in five decades.

Since Thompson last broke a serious game sweat on the hardwood, the likes of Zion Williamson, LaMelo Ball, and Ja Morant broke into the NBA respectably with the New Orleans Pelicans, Charlotte Hornets, and Memphis Grizzlies.

On the NBA coaching front, 23 teams have had new leaders on their sidelines.

As for the Warriors, they have moved to a new building, the aforementioned Chase Center and dressed 36 players. Curry was No. 3 on the all-time three-pointers made list when he and Thompson last played together.

Thompson asked Curry after a Warriors victory, “How much longer until you break Ray Allen’s three-point record?” 

Curry became the all-time leader in three-pointers made on Dec. 14, 2021 in the Warriors 105-96 win at the New York Knicks (19-21). 

Curry, who had 28 points versus the Cavaliers said to ESPN's Malika Andrews after the win that being reunited on the floor with Thompson was "special." 

"I had goosebumps before the game. The starting lineup. The crowd's reaction. Klay's been a big ball of energy over these last like 7-10 days just looking just looking forward to this moment and it was everything," Curry added. "We feed off of that. It was great to see him make his first shot. Get a dunk. Just reassert himself on the floor. It was awesome to see." 

On that dunk, Curry said to Andrews that being able to dunk was the last thing he would be able to showcase. That it was going to take a while for him to do that. It took just nine minutes into his first game back for Thompson to show that he had that ability to dunk again.   

On that night though in New York City, Thompson was not there to witness Curry etched his name once again into the NBA record books as rehabbing to get back on the floor.

When asked by a reporter how much of a challenge it has been rehabbing first his torn ACL and then his Achilles, Thompson said it is “way harder” than any other basketball game he has ever had to play.

That the “mental toll” is no fun at all. That you are always playing guessing games of whether you will ever be the same player that you once were.

On top of that, no one in professional sports, let alone the NBA has attempted to try to do what Thompson is attempting. To come back after two devastating injuries.

The other silver lining is that Thompson is coming back to a team that is close to the championship caliber squads he was a part of the last time he was fully healthy.

A very deep, talented, high character, motivated, focused team whose at the top of the West, with the only goal being to win a championship. Which Thompson said made it even harder to sit on the sidelines and not be a part of it. Those few occasions during Warriors games Thompson can be seen stoically somber on the bench, at times having a towel over his head during games. But made him work with a serious vigor in his pregame workouts as he rehabbed to get back to join his teammates.”

Thompson took that same focus, along with his teammate James Wiseman, the No. 2 overall pick in 2020 draft whose also rehabbing a knee injury of his own in there rehab assignment with the Santa Cruz Warriors, Golden State’s G League affiliate.  

“It’s really rough having to sit there and watch because I enjoy playing so much,” Thompson said to Scott. “I’m used to being that guy whose always in the lineup and fast forward to now and I’m so proud of the way these guys played this year. It’s really incredible. Best record in the league or close to it.”

“It’s super inspiring for me to come back to a team that wants to win the championship. That’s super exciting. I can’t wait to get out there and help these guys.”

Then there’s the motivation of proving he should have been named to the NBA’s 75^th Anniversary list, which Thompson did not make when it was announced back in late October, which Curry did make.

Thompson said to Scott that not being named one of the top 75 players in NBA history did bother him at the time because of the body of work he had put forward along with doing things on the hardwood that had never been done before.  

On Jan. 23, 2015 versus the Sacramento Kings, Thompson set the NBA record for points in a quarter with 37 on a perfect 13/13 from the field, which included making nine threes.

Dec. 5, 2016 versus the Indiana Pacers, Thompson scored his career-high 60 points in 29 minutes, the fewest minutes that a player needed to register 60 points in the 24-second shot clock era (1954-55). Thompson scored 40 of those 60 points in the first half and did not play in the fourth quarter.

Oct. 29, 2018 at the Chicago Bulls, Thompson made a single-game NBA record 14 three-pointers in just three quarters of work.

Jan. 21, 2019 at Los Angeles Lakers, Thompson made his first 10 three-pointers, which according to Elias Sports Bureau set an NBA record.

Thompson told Scott though that not making the Top 75 is no longer important to him and that the only things matters to him is winning.

“Numbers, all that’s cool. But banners hang forever and by any means necessary, I want to get back there and do it again. And we have the team to do it,” Thompson said. “Snubbed from that list and win a championship, that, inspires me every day.”

Three years ago, the Golden State Warriors and Klay Thompson were looking to remain atop the NBA mountain. In the closing moments of Game 6 of the 2019 Finals, the Warriors were dethroned as reigning back-to-back champions and lost Thompson not just for the season before to a torn ACL in his left but also last season with a torn right Achilles.

On the verge of his 32^nd birthday, Klay Thompson on Sunday night took the first step of what he hopes is a storybook comeback where he comes as close to the dynamic sharpshooter and clampdown defender he once was. But understands it will not happen right away.

“I don’t’ have any expectations for my play this year,” Thompson said of what he expects from now until the end of this season. “I’m going into this year with a clean slate and all I’m telling myself to do is play hard every night. Play unselfish, be aggressive.”

“I’m shooting the ball phenomenally right now. Now I know it’s going to take time to make 14 threes in a game or 10 in a row. Whatever that is. I will never lose faith in my jumper. It was always my bread and butter.”

Information, statistics, and quotations are courtesy of 1/3/2022 3 p.m. “NBA Today” ESPN With Malika Andrews, Matt Barnes, Ramona Shelburne, Adrian Wojnarowski, and Marc J. Spears; 1/9/2022 8 p.m. NBATV’s “Pregame Show,” presented by Carmax With Jared Greenberg, Greg Anthony, and Steve Smith, and Dennis Scott; 1/10/2022 12 a.m. ESPN’s “Sportscenter” With Michael Eaves and John Anderson; 1/10/2022 12 a.m. NBATV’s “Gametime,” presented by Kia With Jarden Greenberg, Greg Anthony, and Steve Smith; 1/10/2022 3 p.m. "NBA Today" ESPN with Malika Andrews, Matt Barnes, Chiney Ogwumike, Marc J. Spears, Adrian Wojnarowski, and Ramona Shelburne; and https://www.nba.com/game/cle-vs-gsw-0022100604.

J-Speaks: The Passing of An Iconic NFL Head Coach, Broadcaster, And Sports Video Game Symbol

 

One week ago, Tuesday, the National Football League (NFL) and the entire sports world said goodbye to an iconic head coach, who would go on to be a transformative broadcaster, a remarkable product promoter, particularly to video game that bared his name for 34 seasons, which became a staple of every tween, teenager and even adults.

Last Tuesday Hall of Fame head coach of the Oakland Raiders for a decade John Madden passed away at the age of 85. He is survived by his wife of 62 years Virginia, two sons Joseph and Michael and five grandchildren.

On Sunday, Madden’s life was celebrated at every NFL stadium on gameday and on every network broadcast on FOX Sports, CBS Sports, and NBC’s “Football Night in America.”

The Raiders in their 23-20 win at the Indianapolis Colts wore the decal “JM” on the back of their helmets in honor of Coach Madden.

“On behalf of the entire NFL family, we extend our condolences to Virginia, Mike, Joe and their families,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement last Wednesday. “We all know him as the Hall of Fame coach of the Oakland Raiders and broadcaster who worked every major network, but more than anything, he was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather.”

“Nobody loved football more than Coach. He was football. He was an incredible sounding board to me and so many others. There will never be another John Madden, and we will forever be indebted to him for all he did to make football and the NFL what it is today.”

Longtime host of ESPN’s Sunday NFL Countdown and “NFL Primetime” Chris Berman said on the night edition of “Sportscenter” Los Angeles to Stan Verrett that our nation just “lost a friend.”

“Whether you had ever met him or just heard him or saw him or thought about him, you felt like if you were in a room with you would be very friendly,” Berman said of how Madden treated everyone he came into contact with.

Born in Austin, MN on Apr. 10, 1936 Madden grew up in Daly City, CA attended Catholic Parochial School with John Robinson at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, graduating in 1950 and then moved on to Jefferson High School, where he graduated in 1954.

After a star football career in high school, Madden played one season of college football at the College of San Mateo in 1954 before earning a football scholarship at the University of Oregon, where he studied pre-law and played football with his friend from childhood John Robinson. After redshirting because of a bad knee, Madden attended College of San Mateo in 1955, then Grays Harbor College, playing in the fall of 1956 before he transferred to Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, playing both offense and defense for the Mustangs in 1957. Madden earned a Bachelor of Science degree in education in 1959 and a Master of Arts in education two years later.

Madden was drafted No. 244 overall in NFL Draft by Philadelphia Eagles in 1958 but a knee injury first day of training camp brought an abrupt end to his pro career without playing a snap in the NFL.

Madden’s coaching career began as an assistant at Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria, CA at age 24, where he was promoted to head coach in 1962. One year later, Madden was hired as a defensive assistant coach at San Diego State, where he served for three seasons. In his last season with the Aztecs in 1966, they were ranked amongst the top institutions in the country. At San Diego, Madden coached what would become one of the best offensive minds in NFL history in Don Coryell, who Madden gave credit to being one of the most influential people to who he would become as a coach.

Madden’s legendary career as an NFL head coach began when the late owner of the now Las Vegas Raiders (then Oakland) hired him as the linebackers coach in 1967 when they were a part of the American Football League (AFL), where he would become a part of the coaching tree of Hall of Famer Sid Gillman. One year after then head coach John Rauch resigned from the Raiders to take the same position with the Buffalo Bills, Madden was named head coach on Feb. 4, 1969 at age 32, becoming the youngest professional football head coach at that time.

In 10 seasons as the Raiders (1969-78) leader on the sidelines compiled a 103-32-7 record, registering the highest winning percentage in NFL history (.759) for a coach that had minimum of 100 games under their respective belt, only having two losing seasons. His 103 wins remains a Raiders franchise record. Madden, after losing five AFC title games in his first seven years, suffering memorable defeats all the way, Madden led the Raiders to a 32-14 win in Super Bowl XI over the Minnesota Vikings. 

Madden’s common man personality, that allowed him to build a connections to everyone he met in person or connected with those that watched him on the television set made him an exceptional head coach that was beloved by some of the most colorful and intriguing personalities to every play football in Hall of Fame quarterback Kenny “The Snake” Stabler, Ted Hendricks, John Matuszak, Fred Biletnikoff that made them appointment television.

When it came to getting the job done between the lines though, those players respected Madden and they brought each time they took the gridiron.

“I think if you play for somebody, you can’t ask to play for anybody more dedicated to the football team. That’s the only thing he cares about,” Stable said about his former head coach.

Al Davis echoed those same sentiments calling Madden in a 1999 interview “smart” and a “teacher.”

“He handled the players. He grew as a coach, and obviously he made his place in the sun as a truly great coach.”

Raiders current owner Mark Davis honored Madden at 6 p.m. lit the torch at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas NV, the original kickoff time for Monday Night Football tweeting @Raiders, “Tonight I light the torch in honor of and tribute to John Madden and Al Davis, who declared that the fire that burns the brightest in the Raiders Organization is the will to win.”

Raiders current quarterback Derek Carr said via Twitter last week @derekcarrqb, “Sad to hear of John Madden passing. Praying for his family.”

Berman said one of the great pleasures of his life was being the host of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, particularly for Madden’s in 2006 and the reaction of the members going in with Madden and the those currently in the Hall of Fame in attendance when Madden gave his Hall of Fame speech. It is those images of Madden greeting Warren Moon, Al Davis, and many others that Berman said will stick with him for a long time.

Madden was inducted into the Hall of Fame first as a broadcaster when he received the Pete Rozelle Radio-Television award as a coach and then as a coach four years later.

“Today feels like the second time in my life I’m being carried off the shoulders of others,” Madden said 16 years ago at his Hall of Fame induction referring to when his Raiders players carried him off the field after the Super Bowl XI win.

Hall of Famer Jerry Rice, who played for the San Francisco 49ers, Raiders, Seattle Seahawks, tweeted @Jerry Rice, “A coaching and broadcasting legend and loved by all You will be missed. RIP John Madden.”

Super Bowling winning offensive signal caller Patrick Mahomes II tweeted @Patrick Mahomes, “A coaching legend. A broadcasting icon. Beloved by football fans everywhere. Remembering John Madden.”

Hall of Fame quarterback and current color analyst for NFL on Troy Aikman tweeted @TroyAikman, “John Madden was a treasure. He was a gift. And he has incredible friend. RIP John.” 

What also made the Raiders appointment television on gameday was Coach Madden’s demonstrative behavior at times on the sidelines, particularly after one of the most memorable but gut-wrenching conclusions to a playoff game in NFL history when the Raiders lost at the Pittsburgh Steelers what is now dubbed “The Immaculate Reception.”

Madden went to his grave believing that the reception and run for the game-winning touchdown by Steelers’ Hall of Fame running back Franco Harris a half a century ago should have not been ruled a no catch because the ball hit the ground and should have been ruled incomplete.

For those that dared to discuss that play with Madden, would see him turn red in the face with anger because he is convinced that play robbed the Raiders of a chance to be in another Super Bowl.

After Madden retired from the NFL after the 1978 NFL season at age 42, he would embark on a career as one of the greatest color analyst in not just the NFL but all of professional sports commentary from 1979-2009, where he would win 16 Emmy Awards covering the NFL for all four major networks—CBS (1979-93), FOX (1994-2001), ABC 2002-05, and NBC (2006-08). A great deal those 30 years Madden spent in the NFL broadcast booth were alongside late legendary play-by-play man Pat Summerall with CBS and FOX Sports and with Al Michaels on ABC’s “Monday Night Football” and NBC’s “Sunday Night Football.”

Madden when not paired with Summerall during his time with CBS called games with the late greats Vin Scully, Dick Stockton, Frank Glieber, and Gary Bender.

Following Summerall and Madden in 2001 was now longtime lead play-by-play man now for FOX Joe Buck and current “Sunday Night Football” color analyst in former Cincinnati Bengals wideout Chris Collinsworth, who replaced Madden twice. Collinsworth said that Madden was a “man of the people.”

When people saw him in a hotel lobby, Madden Collinsworth said would just sit down and as that crowd would grow larger and he would break out into a story from his days as a football coach. Then he would leave and people would be stunned that they spent time with an NFL legend.

“But that’s what he loved to do the most,” Collinsworth said on Sunday’s edition of “Football Night in America.”  

Madden use of colorful observations of what was taking place on the field using simple and expressive language like “Boom!” “Whap!” and “Doink!” to describe a place kicker bounces a field goal attempt off the upright.

The first time Madden used his signature “Boom!” call was his first NFL Broadcast for CBS Sept. 23, 1979 between the New Orleans Saints and the San Francisco 49ers when now Super Bowl winning head coach of the Colts and Tampa Bay Buccaneers Tony Dungy was trying to tackle Chuck Muncie after had a long run.

“I did not know I was involved in the first ‘Boom!’ What an honor,” Dungy said last Sunday.

Coach Dungy also said that in his second season as head coach of the Buccaneers Maddon and Summerall broadcasted their contest he invited his friend from Pittsburgh Mack Gray. Of all the things got the chance to do on gameday because of Dungy, the one great memory he had was being introduced to Coach Madden and getting the chance to go on the Madden Bus and take a photo with Madden.

“That was the highlight of his week getting to meet John Madden,” Coach Dungy said.

Super Bowl winning quarterback Drew Brees, who played with the then San Diego (now Los Angeles) Chargers and the Saints said of having Madden call his game when the Saints played at the Dallas Cowboys in a game to decide the No. 2 Seed in NFC how he remembered walking into the production meeting and seeing Madden.

Brees said that he was more interested in asking Madden questions then the other way around.

“Just a man that left an indelible mark on this league [NFL] and had such a strong impact on all of us,” Brees said.

Another former NFL quarterback who said that Madden left a lasting impact on him when meeting was NBC Sports’ Chris Simms, the son of Super Bowl winning quarterback for the New York Giants and longtime co-host of “Inside the NFL” on Paramount+ and the NFL Today on CBS Phill Simms who said that he felt like Madden was the narrator of his father’s life growing up in the late 1980s and 1990s.

At around age 9 or 10 one day when the younger Simms was at Giants Saturday walk-through practice Madden and Summerall walked the field and Madden conversed with Simms and brought him on the Madden Crusier.

“This was a special thing. From that point, just great to me whenever he saw me. It’s like we were friends. Two peas in a pod,” Simms said of his interactions with Madden. “A really special, special guy.”     

Super Bowl winning safety Rodney Harrison, who played for the Chargers and Patriots said that Madden during a broadcast of one of his games said in his unique voice said that he was a “box safety.”

Harrison said that moment “pushed” him and “motivated” him to become a better football player.

He made the game understandable for everyone that watched from the casual fan to a diehard fans of pro football. Madden made the game of pro football fun. Madden particularly highlighted the offensive and defensive lineman describing their movements from the synergy of the offensive line.

Madden was a particular fan of Washington Football team offensive line during the Joe Gibbs era, where they won three Super Bowls in 1987, 1988 and 1991 dubbed the “Hogs.” 

He also pioneered the use of the word that has become commonplace to describe the machine that produces instant replays or what is used to diagram what is on display on our television sets, called the “telestrator.”

Coach Madden’s final call of an NFL Game was Super Bowl XLII between the Arizona Cardinals and Steelers Feb. 2, 2009. He officially announced his retirement from broadcasting on Apr. 16, 2009.

“The term ‘Renaissance Man’ is tossed around a little too loosely these days, but John was as close as you can come,” Michaels, a five-time Emmy Award winner said in a statement on Tuesday. “A dear friend, a wonderful partner in the broadcast booth and a man who brought so much joy to so many people, I’ll miss him enormously.”

What also made Madden a legend in the broadcast booth, he never made it about him or his time as a head coach unless it could be done within the context of the broadcast. It was all about the players and the coaches.

“He put a smile on everyone’s face and you didn’t dare leave the room or turn the dial,” Berman said of Madden’s color commentary style. “When John Madden’s I really don’t need to go anywhere right now.”

Of the 11 Super Bowls Madden commentated, eight of them he teamed up to call with Summerall.

“John will always have a unique place in the history of pro football,” Michaels said when Madden left NBC 13 years ago. “No one has made the sport more interesting, more relevant and more enjoyable to watch and listen to than John. There’s never been anyone like him, and he’s been the gold standard for analysts for three decades.

In his 30 years as a broadcaster, Madden never got to the site of each game by plane because of his well-known fear of flying which came from claustrophobia.

So instead of flying, Madden traveled in tailor made bus called, “The Madden Cruiser,” which was first supplied in 1987 through Greyhound Lines in exchange for advertising and speaking events. The other coach-bus sponsors over the years have included Walker Advantage Muffler and Outback Steakhouse.

That fear of flying is why during his broadcasting career Madden never commentated the Pro Bowl, which used to then be held in Honolulu or any preseason games held outside North America.

“First game together, I remember him sweating and thinking he’s nervous about being on camera. We did the opening I didn’t realize that the time he had such fear of heights. He’s so claustrophobic.”

Back in 1988 Electronic Arts Sports (EA Sports) approached him about endorsing a new video game called “Madden,” which became a part of pop culture having sold 100 million copies worldwide and counting.

“When we first started out, it was even before video games. It was a computer game,” Madden said in 1999. “In your wildest dreams, you didn’t expect it to be what it is.”

NBC Sports’ Jac Collinsworth said on Sunday that one of the best days of his life is when Coach Madden gave him a copy of “Madden 07” which Collinsworth said how kids like him fell in love with the game of football.

Harrison concurred saying that it was not just kids that love the “Madden” video game, it was adults like him. So much so, that he spent more time playing “Madden” until about 4,5. till 6 a.m. every morning that it nearly cost him his marriage.

“That game has influenced, impacted millions of people. What an incredible man Coach Madden was,” Harrison said.

Along with being a legendary pro football coach, broadcaster and video game icon, Madden was one of the fiercest advocates for player’s safety.

NBC Sports NFL Insider Mike Florio of “Pro Football Talk” said during the “Football Night in America” broadcast on Sunday that after Madden retired from NBC as a television color analyst he became an unpaid advisor to the NFL, who worked tirelessly producing ways to make the game safer.

One specific focal point of his was making sure any player that suffered a concussion is removed from play immediately.

On those occasions when a player was clearly in distress after taking a hit to the head and was not taken off the field, Madden Florio said would be very “livid” when that took place and pushed harder to make sure that players were taken out of the game if they showed an signs of a concussion.

Florio was also told that Madden spent a couple of years trying to remove the three-point stance at every level of football high school, college and pro because he was convinced that as offensive and defensive lineman fired off the ball that those helmet-to-helmet collisions, even at low speed had no place in the game of football or the players.

“He was interested in making everything safer for everyone who put on a helmet and played football,” Florio said about Madden.

For four decades, John Madden was one of the most recognizable and most influential figures in National Football League. He was legend as a head coach on the gird iron for the Oakland Raiders. He became a legend in the broadcast booth for three decades. He became a legendary ad person for many products. On Sunday, we said goodbye to a man who put his life and soul into the game of football and the people that played it, coach it, and watched it live or at home. More than that, John Madden got as much joy being in the room with people as they got joy being in a room with him.

“I never worked a day in my life. I went from player to coach, to broadcaster and I’m the luckiest guy in the world,” Madden also said at his Hall of Fame induction speech about his life in pro football.

Information and quotations are courtesy of 12/29/2021 Newsday articles “The Gold Standard On” by Neil Best and “NFL’s Goodwill Ambassador,” by Bob Glauber; 12/29/2021 3 a.m. ESPN’s “Sportscenter” from Los Angeles, CA With Ashley Brewer and Stan Verrett, and Chris Berman; 12/31/2021 7 p.m. NBC’s “Football Night In America,” with Maria Taylor, Tony Dungy, Brew Brees, Chris Simms, Jack Collinsworth, Rodney Harrison, and Mike Florio; 1/1/2022 7 a.m. ESPN’s “Sportscenter” With Nicole Briscoe and Randy Scott; 1/3/2022 6 a.m. edition of ESPN’s “Sportscenter With Scott Van Pelt” from Washington, D.C.; and https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Madden.