NFL Honors John Madden in Thanksgiving Broadcast Tradition

Millions of Americans will commemorate the memory of John Madden, a beloved figure in NFL broadcasting, during the Thanksgiving football games. The league, in partnership with major television networks, plans to pay tribute to Madden, reminiscent of the way he brought the sport into homes every Thanksgiving.

On Thanksgiving Day, the NFL’s programming includes a series of games featuring tributes to Madden. The Chicago Bears will face off against the Detroit Lions on CBS, the New York Giants will play the Dallas Cowboys on Fox, and the Miami Dolphins will meet the Green Bay Packers on NBC. Each game will commence with a tribute video featuring Madden’s voice, where he expresses his joy in spending Thanksgiving at a football game, stating, “There’s no place that I would rather be today on Thanksgiving than right here, right now, at a football game.”

Players from these six teams will honor Madden by wearing commemorative patches on their jerseys throughout the games. The coin used for each game’s pregame coin toss will uniquely feature Madden’s silhouette on one side, and the other side will depict his famous turducken, a multi-bird dish Madden often associated with Thanksgiving.

The tradition of recognizing standout players at these Thanksgiving games will continue with a Madden trophy awarded to the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of each match. These MVPs will also select a high school or youth football program to receive a generous $10,000 donation, courtesy of the NFL Foundation.

Proceeds from special auctions of items used in the games are earmarked for the John Madden Foundation. This organization supports youth programs in Oakland, reflecting Madden’s lifelong commitment to nurturing young talent in his community.

During his extensive broadcasting career, Madden became known for his Thanksgiving Day broadcasts, during which he would delight in awarding turkey legs to the day’s most outstanding players.