John Madden has announced his retirement from broadcasting, ending the reign of the most popular broadcaster in sports history.

I must make this immediate clarification (as Tim Roye would say, a Clarification Sensation). John Madden is by no means the BEST broadcaster, simply the most popular.

His vast popularity and connectivity with the audience were always far more important than his relative ability to break down the coveted X’s and O’s.

From his incessant pitch-man schtick to his name-brand video game empire, John Madden has been synonymous with the National Football League for nearly three GENERATIONS.

His Madden bus, Turducken (sp?), all-Madden team and more all changed the way we all broadcast sports. He made entertainment the most important quotient in a broadcast and showed that color commentary could be an all-encompassing gig.

It’s fair to say that his skills have diminished over the last few seasons but I must acknowledge how good he still was into his late 60’s. He and Al Michaels had a nice partnership that I will miss.

Here’s to you John. Enjoy the family in the 925 and the afternoons chasing the pallino on the bocce court.