Madden no more

NBC Sports just announced that legendary announcer (and Hall of Fame NFL coach) John Madden is retiring from broadcasting, effective immediately. Dick Ebersol's going to do a conference call later today to discuss how NBC's going to fill the void on Sunday Night Football (Cris Collinsworth, maybe?). After the jump, I'll have the statement NBC issued on Madden's behalf, and then feel free to talk about your favorite Madden memories, whether you feel he still had his fastball after all this time or was getting by on reputation (and whether Frank Caliendo changed the way you thought about the real thing), etc.

It's time. I'm 73 years old. My 50th wedding anniversary is this fall. I have two great sons and their families and my five grandchildren are at an age now when they know when I'm home and, more importantly, when I'm not...

It's been such a great ride... the NFL has been my life for more than 40 years, it has been my passion � it still is. I appreciate all of the people who are and were such an important part of the most enjoyable, most fun anyone could have... that great life with the teams, the players, the coaches, the owners, the League... my broadcasting partners Pat and Al... the production people and the fans...is still great... it's still fun and that's what it makes it hard and that's why it took me a few months to make a decision.

I still love every part of it � the travel, the practices, the game film, the games, seeing old friends and meeting new people... but I know this is the right time.