Where in the World is John Madden?
Where's John Madden?
We don’t know how many of you remember the kids’ series of books, “Where’s Waldo?“. But we’re sure it’s Where’s John Madden? time now. (We had a clip on the blog just before the trial started. Click HERE to read it.)
Mark Kriegel of FOXsports just wrote a powerful piece about the recent Players Inc. lawsuit victory and how the normally boisterous Madden has mysteriously vanished since the beginning of the trial. Calls to NBC, Electronic Arts as well as to his agent have resulted in mostly dodgy comments, with each of them pointing Kriegel to the other. And absolutely no one seems to know where John Madden has gone. Kriegel also starts digging into the idea that perhaps this is as good a time as any for madden – and everyone else along with him in the NFL and NFLPA – to finally step up to the plate and do the right thing for the retired players. There were 481 comments when we found the article and the vote for Madden to do the right thing was overwhelmingly 72% FOR vs. 28% AGAINST Does John Madden have a duty to speak out (With a Total of 65,102 people voting so far.)
From the article on FOXsports:
Jack Youngblood, another tough guy plaintiff, also professes an undying admiration for the former coach. Madden once said that Youngblood – a Rams defensive end who once played with a broken leg – “personified the All-Madden team.”
“Trying to say that John has some responsibility, I think, is stretching it,” said Youngblood. “It’s EA’s responsibility. It’s on the union.”
I didn’t say Madden was in any way responsible for the swindle. I said he should address the issues in the suit.
“At some point in time,” said Youngblood, “John Madden will stand up and do the right thing. I trust him as one of the great coaches in the league, and a great man. I firmly believe he will do what’s honorable.”
I hope John Madden justifies an endorsement like that. I hope he has it in him to make the All-Youngblood team.
Read the rest of Kriegel’s article by clicking HERE.
With as much talk about Change in the air now that the election is over, we would have to agree that the time for serious change is NOW.
P.S. – HINT: He’s probably in Costa Rica with Gene Upshaw…
P.P.S. – Madden showed up on his regular Sunday Night Football spot but made absolutely no mention of the trial and its outcome.
Conrad Dobler
November 15th, 2008 at 4:26 pm #
John Madden should get up and support the players who helped make him the great coach. The difference between an average coach and a great coach are the players.
WHERE ARE YOU, JOHN MADDEN?
Conrad Dobler
Where in the World is John Madden? Fourth and Goal Foundation
November 15th, 2008 at 5:54 pm #
[...] Mark Kriegel of FOXsports just wrote a powerful piece about the recent Players Inc. lawsuit victory and how the normally boisterous Madden has mysteriously vanished since the beginning of the trial. Calls to NBC, Electronic Arts as well as to his agent have resulted in mostly dodgy comments, with each of them pointing Kriegel to the other. And absolutely no one seems to know where John Madden has gone. Kriegel also starts digging into the idea that perhaps this is as good a time as any for madden – and everyone else along with him in the NFL and NFLPA…READ MORE [...]
Dave Pear
November 16th, 2008 at 3:16 pm #
John Madden,
Mark Kriegel of FOXsports wrote:
“Five days have passed since a federal jury in San Francisco determined that the NFL Players Association should pay retired members an astounding $28.1 million in damages ($7.1 million, compensatory; $21 million, punitive). Basically, the late Gene Upshaw’s union conspired to cheat these men out of proceeds from use of their likenesses in the phenomenally successful “Madden” video games. One union official actually advised the manufacturer, EA Sports, to “scramble” the ex-players’ identifying names and numbers so as not to pay them. But John Madden himself has managed to remain silent.”
Where do you stand on this repugnant swindle? Someone needs to stand up for the rights of all retired players. This is an opportunity for you to do the right thing. Will you stand up for justice?
Sincerely,
Dave & Heidi Pear
Tony Cline
November 20th, 2008 at 6:19 am #
Dave -
My name is Tony Cline and I played for Raiders from 1970-75.
How can I get on the Google Group for retired players?
Thanks for all your hard work. Hope all is well.
Tony Cline Sr.
Oakland Raiders, San Francisco 49ers
1970 – 1978