'Madden' turns 20

0 Comments | USA TODAY, August, 2008 | by Mike Snider

PLEASANTON, Calif. -- Thirty years after exiting pro football's coaching ranks, John Madden still knows how to execute a winning game plan.

About to start his 29th year of network NFL broadcasts, Madden has developed a bigger-than-life personality -- boisterously punctuating plays with "Bam!" and "Boom!" -- and has earned 16 Sports Emmys. He bashed through walls in a string of Miller Lite TV ads in the '80s, and his career in commercials continues for Ace Hardware, Outback Steakhouse, Sirius Radio and "fast-actin'" Tinactin.

Then there's the product he's most known for: the Madden NFL video game. With more than 70 million copies sold, the franchise celebrates its 20th anniversary this year in high style. There'll be a "Maddenpalooza" at L.A.'s Hollywood Bowl...