John Madden Calls It A Career

For the past 28 years, whether on CBS, or FOX, or ABC, or NBC, John Madden changed the way NFL games were covered by in-game analysts. His presence at a game, meant that it was clearly the "Game of the Week."

Today, Madden retired from broadcasting at age 73, ending his legendary Hall of Fame run.

Madden got his start in football as the head coach of the Oakland Raiders in 1969, after serving as a linebackers coach for the previous two seasons. He was one of the youngest and most successful coaches during that time, capturing a Super Bowl title in the early 1970's but retired from coaching in 1979. He never coached again.

Madden quickly became the icon of Sunday afternoon broadcasts. Over the decades he became even more famous for his Thanksgiving Day turkeys, his multi-million dollar video game, and his traveling bus.

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

Madden was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006. It is not known who will replace Madden in the NBC booth for this season's games.