Candid Cam: Full disclosure on Madden

0 Comments | Oakland Tribune, Apr 16, 2009 | by Cam Inman

"I'm going to have to find out. I haven't played in so long I don't know if I'm a golfer anymore," Madden said. "I'll try and get out there. But that's not going to be it. John Madden is not going to retire and play golf the rets of his life, I God damn guarantee that."

If the golf fails him, he does have other hobbies, including growing grapes and almonds.

* * * Full disclosure * * *

I wasn't shocked that Madden retired -- there have been rumblings for months, but none from him. I also wasn't stunned he called me at noon Thursday after he learned I was writing about his retirement.

Maybe Madden is my muse. When I must write, he helps inspire, or at least offer enough fodder to use some ink.

That's been the case since I started covering the NFL a decade ago.

That was the case when I did a lengthy profile on his coaching career upon his 2006 entry to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

That was the case last year when I was writing my first book, "The Best Bay Area Sports Arguments," for which he wrote the foreword (free of charge, even).

Of the thousands of sports personalities I've encountered in 20- plus years as a sportswriter, Madden doesn't just rank among the top, there's perhaps no other I feel I can relate better. We both are Bay Area natives (Madden: Daly City-bred; Cam: Cupertino-bred); we both went to Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo; we both got our professional starts in Santa Maria (Madden: Hancock College; Cam: Santa Maria Times); we both live in Pleasanton; we both have our own record-selling video games (Madden: EA Sports; Cam: Whoops, maybe we're not so alike.)

Heck, even Raiders patriarch Al Davis pointed out those similarities when he invited me to his office in 2006 to talk about Madden (and tell me he's studied my bio).

Anyhow, conversations with Madden have always had a nice, easy flow to them, which shouldn't be a surprise. Thursday's was, too, and after 15 minutes, I thanked Madden for his time on such an emotional day. His response: "Thanks for coming back from your vacation for this."

Now my response: Next vacation I'm going to ask for his bus.

* * * Not-so-secret admirers * * *

"John will always have a unique place in the history of pro football. No one has made the sport more interesting, more relevant and more enjoyable to watch and listen to than John. There's never been anyone like him and he's been the gold standard for analysts for almost three decades. On a personal note, I'll miss working with John on many levels. As a broadcast partner, I could always count on him -- no one ever came to work more prepared. ... As John said today, 'it was time.' That's John -- succinct, pithy and right to the point." -- Broadcast partner Al Michaels.

"There is one thing football fans have agreed on for decades: they all love John Madden. ... He had an incredible talent for explaining the game in an unpretentious way that made it more understandable and fun. John's respect and passion for the game always stood out. He was the ultimate football fan who also happened to be an extraordinarily talented coach and broadcaster." -- NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.