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Collinsworth Named Successor to John Madden
2009-04-17

Click for more information and news about Cris Collinsworth

By John Kiesewetter, The Cincinnati Enquirer

Cris Collinsworth knows there's no way anyone can replace John Madden.
And he's done it twice – for Fox in 2005, and this fall on NBC's Sunday Night Football.

"John Madden is just special," says Collinsworth, 50, in his first interview since Madden's surprise retirement from broadcasting April 16.

"Lots of guys have tried to impersonate John Madden and it just doesn't work," says the Fort Thomas resident who entered broadcasting after he was cut by the Bengals 20 years ago.

"I'm just going to do what I do, whatever that is. Whether you're going to fail or succeed, you've got to be yourself."

Collinsworth was calling from New York, where he traveled to attend the national Sports Emmy Awards Monday night. He was nominated for both best game analyst (Madden was, too) and best studio analyst, his job since 2006. He owns eight Sports Emmys, including a record seven for best studio analyst.

But Collinsworth wanted to talk about the man with 15 Emmys: Madden.

"John asked me to replace him. That's as high of a tribute as you can get in this business," Collinsworth says.

The two finally spoke Monday for the first time since Madden, 73, retired.

"It's something that I'll treasure for a lifetime. He was so gracious and wonderful … It was about as special a moment as I've ever had in my professional career," says Collinsworth.

"I want to make him proud."

NBC had planned for Collinsworth to succeed Madden for some time. Collinsworth's contract named him successor for either Madden or announcer Al Michaels, he says. He just didn't expect it to happen this soon.

"After he did such a great job on the Super Bowl. … I thought he was back for three more years," Collinsworth says. He learned about Madden's decision from Dick Ebersol, NBC Sports chairman, an hour before NBC's announcement.

Ironically, Madden's retiring to spend more time with his family will mean less family time for Collinsworth, who will have three kids in Highlands High School this fall.

Son Austin, an all-star defensive back/receiver, will be a senior. Jac will play freshman football on Thursdays.

"The timing on this wasn't perfect," Collinsworth says. "This job has a lot more demands than my other job."

As Sunday night studio analyst, Collinsworth would fly to New York on Saturday and return Monday. Doing prime-time games requires him to fly out Thursday, so he can meet Friday with the home team players and coaches, and NBC producers. Network announcers meet with the visiting team on Saturday.

"I'm going to try to make arrangements so I can see my son play football Friday nights. Dick (Ebersol) has been great about me trying to get back and see the kids, when I can," he says.

Collinsworth will continue to commute to New York earlier in the week to tape Inside the NFL. At NBC's request, he will not do Thursday games for the NFL Network this fall.

"This job is an incredible opportunity, one I'm looking forward to. I'm excited. It's an honor to be asked to do games at this level, particularly when you consider that John Madden wanted this to happen.

And if Madden changes his mind?

"It would be the shortest conversation of all time. I'll say, 'John, where are the keys to the bus? I'll drive you!'" Collinsworth says.
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