Pat Summerall 1930-2013: John Madden Pays Tribute to His Partner and Friend

John Madden and Pat Summerall were broadcast partners for over two decades, setting the standard and creating the model used in almost all current-day NFL television broadcasts.

It was a relationship that got off to an untidy start. In 1981, CBS paired the laid-back, revered Summerall with Madden, the former Super Bowl-winning head coach of the Oakland Raiders, who was known for his assertive, surly, plain-speaking manner.

I asked Summerall if he could imagine at the time  how big a star Madden would become.

He said, “At first, I didn’t think he was going to make it.”

There first game Madden worked with Summerall was in steamy Tampa Bay. Immediately, Summerall was faced with the quirks that would cause him to endear himself to Madden.

“The press box was at the top of the stadium,” Summerall said. “John was afraid of heights. It was a hot day and he sweated right through his shirt. “

Their relationship became a special one, even though the two were cut from different cloths. Summerall was the man’s man: former player, hard drinker, tough veneer. Madden was outgoing, garrulous with afflictions unbecoming of man of his stature. He was afraid to fly, and traveled to games by bus. The vehicle became known as “The Madden Cruiser.”

Yesterday, Madden delivered a teary eulogy for his friend at a memorial service in Plano, TX. From David Moore of The Dallas Morning News:

When Madden began his remembrance at Saturday’s service, he joked that he needed Summerall to straighten his tie and button his top button. He called the broadcaster a “card-carrying great guy” who treated runners and interns with the same amount of respect and dignity as studio heads and sponsors.

Madden calls Summerall “the toughest, quietest guy I’ve ever known,” a cross between John Wayne and Walter Cronkite. Madden’s voice cracked several times, and he began to cry when he told his friend he loved him.

“There were voices before Pat Summerall, and there will be voices after,” Madden said. “But he is the voice of the NFL.”

“I know Pat is up there saying, ‘John, brevity, brevity, brevity,’” Madden says from the sanctuary of Prestonwood Baptist Church.

He pauses and glances skyward.

“One more time, Pat, I’m going to talk over you.”