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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2009
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Madden Has Lots of Fans, If Not All the Facts

Aging voice of the NFL still flashes brilliance along with slip-ups

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(Newser) – John Madden's on-air analysis isn't always right—zealous fact-checkers will attest to that—but the elder statesman of NFL commentators is usually on the money, writes Matthew Futterman in the Wall Street Journal. "I know there's talk he's lost a step," his former boss acknowledges, but the onetime Raiders coach remains a force in the broadcasting world—and in video games.

If you're befuddled by the webs of arrows that commentators draw over replays, blame Madden. And if you appreciate the talking heads who seem to know insider details about the coaches and players, thank him. But "as a broadcaster, Mr. Madden remains the standard-bearer of the old guard," Futterman writes. To see how NBC integrates him into its whiz-bang Super Bowl coverage, tune in Sunday.

Sports commentator and former NFL coach John Madden, right, stands with his grandson Sam, Thursday, Dec. 6, 2007, during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington.
Sports commentator and former NFL coach John Madden, right, stands with his grandson Sam, Thursday, Dec. 6, 2007, during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington.   (AP Photo/Lauren Victoria Burke)
Pro football Hall of Famer John Madden gestures in the lobby of the Kennedy Center before a memorial service for NFL Players' Association leader Gene Upshaw, Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2008.
Pro football Hall of Famer John Madden gestures in the lobby of the Kennedy Center before a memorial service for NFL Players' Association leader Gene Upshaw, Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2008.   (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
Broadcaster and former coach John Madden celebrates his selection to the NFL Hall of Fame during a press conference February 4, 2006 at the Renaissance Center in Detroit.
Broadcaster and former coach John Madden celebrates his selection to the NFL Hall of Fame during a press conference February 4, 2006 at the Renaissance Center in Detroit.   (Getty Images)
Former Head Coach John Madden of the Oakland Raiders looks on alongside his bust during a ceremony to honor his recent induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on October 22, 2006.
Former Head Coach John Madden of the Oakland Raiders looks on alongside his bust during a ceremony to honor his recent induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on October 22, 2006.   (Getty Images)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
John Madden and longtime broadcasting partner Pat Summerall lay out the storylines of the 1989 NFC title game (Rams and 49ers) on CBS.   (YouTube)
Madden NFL 09 videos, exclusively featuring this year's Super Bowl teams, Pittsburgh and Arizon.   (YouTube)

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