John Madden’s passion for football and his family is especially highlighted during the Thanksgiving celebrations.
On this Thursday, NBC will pay tribute to Madden’s legacy as they kick off their broadcast ahead of the game between the Miami Dolphins and the Green Bay Packers.
A special two-minute segment will showcase the original Madden Cruiser as it journeys from the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, to Lambeau Field, which serves as a poignant backdrop for this year’s Thanksgiving game on NBC.
Lambeau Field was always among Madden’s favorite venues, making this occasion even more significant.
“It’s incredible to see how John’s influence continues to resonate,” remarked Ellie Wright, the producer behind the opening segment, who accompanied the cruiser on its recent trip.
The concept of reviving the iconic bus arose during NBC’s production meetings for “Sunday Night Football” in early June.
Madden had gifted the cruiser to the Pro Football Hall of Fame back in 2018, and the Hall eagerly embraced the idea of taking the bus on one last excursion across the Midwest.
While typically stored in a warehouse in northeast Ohio, the cruiser typically makes appearances during enshrinement week activities.
On its journey, the bus made brief stops in Chicago, where it visited Soldier Field and also a Boys & Girls Club in Wisconsin on its route to Lambeau Field.
J.J. Johnson, who drove for Madden during the last six years of his broadcasting career, took the wheel last week and provided the narration for the opening.
“As I drove from one location to the next, the crew would engage me with questions or ask me to share stories, which brought back many cherished memories. This was my way of paying tribute to John,” Johnson shared.
After a panic attack on a flight prior to a game in Tampa Bay in 1979, Madden opted to travel by train until Greyhound donated the first bus to him in 1987.
The first version of the Madden Cruiser logged over 600,000 miles before being replaced with an upgraded model in 1994, coinciding with his move from CBS to Fox.
A total of five Madden Cruisers were created, with the Madden family retaining access to the last two; the fates of the earlier models remain uncertain.
On Thanksgiving Day, Madden will be honored throughout all three games, marking the third edition of the “John Madden Thanksgiving Celebration” since the legendary coach and broadcaster passed in December 2021.
From 1982 to 2001, Madden called a total of 20 Thanksgiving games while working at CBS and Fox.
He later joined ABC for “Monday Night Football” in 2002 and NBC in 2006 with the launch of “Sunday Night Football”; however, neither network hosted a game on Thanksgiving during his tenure.
CBS will air the first game featuring the Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions, while Fox will present the afternoon matchup featuring the New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys.
The NFL expanded to three games on Thanksgiving in 2006, assigning NBC the evening game in 2012.
This marks the second instance of Green Bay hosting the night game, with the last occurrence in 2015.
Even after his retirement from broadcasting following Super Bowl 43 in 2009, Madden’s influence is still felt in NBC’s coverage.
Rob Hyland, coordinating producer for “Sunday Night Football,” highlighted that Madden played a significant role in shaping his approach, emphasizing the importance of storytelling, whether in football or other major events like the Kentucky Derby or the Olympics.
“John Madden was the most curious person I had the privilege to work with, and I can certainly say that curiosity affected everyone around him,” Hyland emphasized.
In keeping with Madden’s Thanksgiving traditions, NBC will present turkey legs to the game’s standout players and offer turduckens to the winning teams.
Hall of Fame safety Leroy Butler, who represented the Packers for 12 years, has gained a reputation as an accomplished chef and will spearhead the preparation of both the turkeys and turduckens, some of which will even be prepared on the bus.
“One of our production trucks features a tribute to John on its exterior. When the Thanksgiving game day arrives and we head out to work, the thought of John always brings a smile to our faces,” Johnson shared, who operates one of the “Sunday Night Football” production trucks.
“The love for football, the warmth of Thanksgiving, and being at Lambeau Field— where John had so many fond memories—makes this truly special. He would have adored broadcasting this game, and we all take pride in doing our very best to honor his legacy,” he added.
