NBC says Madden leaving broadcasting

SAN JOSE, Calif., April 16 (UPI) -- Popular U.S. sports broadcaster John Madden is retiring from the world of broadcasting at age 73, NBC said Thursday.

The network announced on its Web sites for MSNBC and NBC Sports that the NFL Hall of Fame coach -- who was in the TV booth for "Monday Night Football" and "NBC Sunday Night Football" during his long broadcasting career -- has officially retired, the San Jose (Calif.) Mercury News said.

"It's time. I'm 73 years old," Madden said in the online postings. "My 50th wedding anniversary is this fall. I have two great sons and their families and my five grandchildren are at an age now when they know when I'm home and, more importantly, when I'm not..."

Madden, a former NFL head coach who was paired with broadcaster Pat Summerall for most of his 1980s and '90s broadcasts, helped the Oakland Raiders win Super Bowl XI over the Minnesota Vikings.

"John was a Hall of Fame coach before becoming one of the most-celebrated personalities in sports," said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. "It is only fitting that his last game as an announcer was this year's Super Bowl -- the most-watched TV program of all-time. He is stepping down as a true Super Bowl champion."