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He is a Hall of famer, a /*Super Bowl*/ winner and the NFL's winningest coach. Legendary sports broadcaster /*John Madden*/ is calling it quits.
"I've decided, decided to retire. Heck, I can't even say it," said Madden.
The 73-year-old sports analyst and former Raiders coach said on KCBS Radio that it was simply the right time.
"Now my grandkids are old enough that they know when I'm gone and when I'm not," said Madden. "And this year's my 50th wedding anniversary and that comes in December and I have to be there."
Madden lives in Pleasanton. Everyone seems to have bumped into him at one time or another.
"I met him through his sons and he's very, very cordial, very well-spoken and just a nice guy," said Pleasanton resident Clay Cameron.
Madden's fans say his lively blue-collar style appealed to everyone.
"Mild-mannered, nice guy, guy next door, 'Joe Sixpack' kind of guy," said NBC Sunday Night Football viewer Ken Williams.
"Just his knowledge of the game makes him stand out above everybody else," said NBC Sunday Night Football viewer Don Bower.
Former tight end Hall of Famer Dave Casper played for Madden. He explains his coach's winning formula.
"He took the complex and made it simple, so all of us could understand it," said Casper.
"Every analyst I've seen since John, talks too much, and John doesn't, so when he talks you tend to listen," said KCBS sports anchor Steve Bitker.
Madden says it was a tough decision because he still loves the game.
"I enjoyed the games and players and coaches and film and the travel and everything. So that's why it took me so long," said Madden.
It took Madden months to decide. He might sum it up this way: "boom" it was the right decision.
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