John Madden / Photo: Newscom

John spoke briefly about his decision today:

“You know at some point you have to do this — I got to that point. The thing that made it hard is not because I’m second guessing, ‘Is it the right decision?’ But I enjoyed it so damn much. I enjoyed the game and the players and the coaches and the film and the travel and everything. If you hated part of it or if something was wrong, it’d be easy (to retire).”

His enthusiasm and passion for football are what made him so popular. My fondest memories of his work (aside from his tremendous knowledge of the game) include his quirky phrases and appreciation for the “lunch bucket” players of the NFL. His was a voice for the blue collar working class to embrace. And then there were his infamous Thanksgiving Day turduckens. And, of course, the Madden NFL video game series for EA Sports, which continues to be the top-selling sports video game of all-time. The guy has more than left his mark on a game and an industry.

When John was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame three years ago (thankfully, I was there), he made a humorous comment that will stick with past, present and future Hall of Famers forever. It was his unique idea that when everyone left the Hall at night, the busts of the inducted players would come to life and talk to each other. Who else but John Madden would come up with such a concept? It really typified his thought process and football fans are forever grateful for having had the opportunity to enjoy his work.

John will be replaced by Cris Collinsworth. He’ll have big shoes to fill — literally and figuratively.

Source: NFL.com

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

John Madden Retires

With the 2008 NFL Draft in the books, 30 of the NFL’s 32 teams will conduct minicamps over the next two weekends (Denver and Jacksonville will do so in June). Here is the 2008 NFL Minicamp schedule:

ARIZONA – May 2-4
ATLANTA – May 10-12; June 23-25 (voluntary)
BALTIMORE – May 1-3 (voluntary); May 9-11
BUFFALO – May 2-4 (rookies); June 11-13
CAROLINA – May 2-4
CHICAGO – May 2-4 (rookies); May 30-June 1
CINCINNATI – May 2-4 (rookies); June 12-14
CLEVELAND – May 2-4 (rookies); June 10-12
DALLAS – May 2-4 (rookies); June 17-19
DENVER – June 11-13
DETROIT – May 2-4 (rookies); May 20-22
GREEN BAY – May 2-4 (rookies); June 17-19
HOUSTON – May 9-11
INDIANAPOLIS – May 2-4 (rookies); May 16-18
JACKSONVILLE – June 6-7
KANSAS CITY – May 2-3 (rookies); June 6-8
MIAMI – May 2-4 (rookies); May 23-25 (voluntary); June 6-8
MINNESOTA – May 2-4 (rookies); June 6-8
NEW ENGLAND – May 2-4 (rookies); June 6-8
NEW ORLEANS – May 9-11 (rookies); May 30-June 1
NEW YORK GIANTS – May 9-11 (rookies); June 11-13
NEW YORK JETS – May 2-4 (rookies); June 5-7
OAKLAND – May 9-11 (rookies); June 3-5
PHILADELPHIA – May 3-5
PITTSBURGH – May 2-4
ST. LOUIS – May 9-11
SAN DIEGO – May 2-4
SAN FRANCISCO – May 2-4
SEATTLE – May 2-4
TAMPA BAY – May 2-4 (rookies); June 17-19
TENNESSEE – May 2-3 (rookies)
WASHINGTON – May 2-4

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

2008 NFL Minicamp Schedule

ARIZONA May 12-14
ATLANTA May 11-13; 6/21 (voluntary minicamp)
BALTIMORE May 4-5 (rookies); June 5-7
BUFFALO May 12-14 (rookies); June 11-13
CAROLINA May 4-6
CHICAGO May 4-6 (rookies); May 18-20
CINCINNATI May 4-6 (rookies); June 1-3
CLEVELAND May 4-6 (rookies); June 12-14
DALLAS May 12-14
DENVER July 9-11
DETROIT May 4-6 (rookies); May 17-19
GREEN BAY May 4-6 (rookies); May 18-20
HOUSTON June 11-13
INDIANAPOLIS May 4-6 (rookies); May 18-20
JACKSONVILLE May 12-14
KANSAS CITY May 12-14 (rookies); June 1-3
MIAMI May 4-6; June 8-10 (voluntary minicamp)
MINNESOTA May 4-6 (rookies); June 1-3
NEW ENGLAND May 12-14 (rookies); June 5-7
NEW ORLEANS May 12-14 (rookies); June 1-3
NEW YORK GIANTS May 12-14 (rookies); June 13-15
NEW YORK JETS May 12-14 (rookies); June 14-16
OAKLAND May 4-6; June 11-13 (voluntary minicamp)
PHILADELPHIA May 12-14
PITTSBURGH May 11-13
ST. LOUIS May 12-14 (rookies); June 12-14
SAN DIEGO May 4-6; June 8-10 (voluntary minicamp)
SAN FRANCISCO May 4-6
SEATTLE May 4-6
TAMPA BAY May 4-6 (rookies); June 19-21
TENNESSEE May 4-5 (rookies)
WASHINGTON May 4-6 (rookies); June 15-17

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

NFL Minicamp Schedule