Madden & Summerall: How They Revolutionized NFL Broadcasting

Sports reporter Podolsky (You Are Looking Live!) provides a thorough examination of the broadcast partnership between John Madden and Pat Summerall. The two spent 21 years announcing pro football games together for CBS and Fox, forming what Podolsky calls “the greatest NFL broadcasting team in history.” Madden retired as coach of the Oakland Raiders at 42 in 1978 and turned to TV as his second act. Summerall, who played for multiple NFL teams, fell into broadcasting after an executive from WCBS Radio told him he had a great voice for it. When CBS executives paired them together as lead NFL announcers in 1981, the chemistry was immediate. Madden was the charismatic everyman, someone viewers felt like they could have a beer with, while Summerall provided a counterbalance with his concise, authoritative style. Through extensive interviews with those close to them (Summerall died in 2013 and Madden in 2021) and his own astute analyses, Podolsky effectively illustrates how their complementary styles (“No matter how far Madden would stray telling his stories, Summerall would have the perfect capper to move things back to neutral”) paired with their deep knowledge of the sport set the standard for NFL telecasts. Football fans will appreciate this behind-the-scenes look at one of the sport’s most famous duos. (Sept.)