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John Madden redefined football.
What separated John from everyone were the four things that changed the way we see this sport and helped propel it to what it is today, the premier sport in America.
John was, without question, the face of the NFL. From my personal perspective John brought four major contributions to my beloved sport.
First and foremost, he taught mainstream people the X's and O's of professional football.
As a college football player, I learned from him.
A world-respected professor of mine, when asked why he was so popular, once commented, "I put the cookies on the lower shelf so even the big boys can reach them." That was John. He spoke to both the novice and the well-informed fan.
Second, John was an innovator.
Even when he was well beyond an age, when most of us have long since retired, he was creating "turducken," the "telestrator," and his "side of the bus" hall of fame.
I can only hope I remain as fresh and innovative at that age.
Third, John embodied integrity.
I can not enumerate the number of times that John would refute some ESPN sensationalism or some AP speculative "fact" by interviewing a player, coach, GM, or even a celebrity.
John was after the truth and his integrity reached all of us.
Fourth and most important to John's legacy, he reached out to people who were not football fans. One of the many examples is my wife.
She does not like football, but would sit and watch if John was announcing. She would even ask, "Is John Madden announcing?"
His homespun humor and earthy witticisms reached so many beyond the normal football world.
My greatest memory of John will be him announcing a Green Bay game.
He called out Gilbert Brown, saying, "Gilbert is like a Sumo wrestler. You can't block him with one man. If you want to stop him, you need two people. If you want to move him, it takes takes three."
My son and I were in tears as they were showing Gilbert with his hands on his hips, gut hanging out, dark visor etc.; he had no idea the world was focused on him, but it was.
John loves the "big uglies," and he brought that to us.
John, my family and I will miss you. You are a pioneer, an American icon, and a great man of integrity.
What more could Mrs. Madden have hoped for in a son!
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