The NFL isn't the same NFL without Coach Bill Belichick
92) The (formerly) longest tenured Coach in the NFL isn’t on the sidelines this year
The last Game the late great John Madden called with Pat Summerall was the iconic Super 36 - Patriots v Rams.
This championship was the first of six for the Patriots. It put the Coaching / QB duo of (BB & TB) Bill Belichick and Tom Brady1 front and center for the next two decades. It was also a prelude to the final chapter of John Madden’s incredible career in the NFL.
That was the last game Pat Summerall ever called with John Madden. Their career broadcasting together spanned my whole life up until that point (1981-2002). Now their voices together would only live on in one of the most famous video games, ever.
John Madden’s iconic voice is the first video above. Pat Summerall’s iconic voice in the 2nd video above.
The easiest transition ever made for John Madden was when he was paired up with the great Al Michaels from the 2002- 2008 NFL seasons2. How Madden went from having the greatest running mate ever, to a new partner in one of the most famous American commentators for all major American sports, is simply incredible. (Do you believe in Miracles?3)
I forgot that John Madden’s final game he ever called was one of the greatest Super Bowls I ever remember watching Super Bowl 43, Steelers defeat the Cardinal (27-23).
Of Course Bill Belichick and Tom Brady’s Patriots are smack in the middle of all this football history, losing the year before in Super 42, in the most heartbreaking of ways. The Giants defeated a historically great Patriots team this year. The Pats were 18-0 leading up to this Super Bowl upset.
Reminiscing about the 18-1 Supper Bowl Runner up Patriots, reminds me of a great article I read just a week prior to that incredible game4
With Bill Belichick (and Tom Brady) on my mind, I’m left wondering how there could be another Season taking place without either of these two men playing or coaching a game for this much anticipated first NFL Sunday of 2024.
From 1979 - 2023, Belichick was a prominent Coach for an NFL team in some capacity. This overlaps with not just my football watching life, but my whole life. (Tom Brady’s playing career from 2000-2022 spans half my life). I also grew up in NY as a Giants fan. Belichick was the defensive genius behind that incredible 1990 Giants Super Bowl team, which is actually the first year I can say I consciously was aware of the NFL.
There were also constant rumors over the last number of years that Belichick would finish his decorated coaching career with NY Football Giants. It hasn’t happened…yet. And, everyone is convinced he will be back as HC in the NFL for some team, in 2025.
For now, it just feels kind of weird not having BB pacing the sidelines of the NFL, Coaching.
-JPJ
For more football stories from Josh off the Press - check this out
This story does need some updating, but is still a good one5.
I read this book on Belichick and Brady in early 2017. It was terrific. I certainly have to revisit it. https://www.amazon.com/Belichick-Brady-Patriots-Revolutionized-Football/dp/0316266914
An NFL season is considered to be only in one calendar year. For example this NFL Season is considered the 2024 season. Unlike the NBA which (once it starts) will be the 2024-2025 Season.
This is how it goes, even though the Super Bowl is always in the second month of the next year.
For example the 2001 NFL Season, concluded in February of 2002. Hence why there is an overlap in 2002 between John Madden commentating with Pat Summerall for the Super Bowl and then commentating with Al Michaels at the start of the next season, (all in the year 2002).
Al Michaels called the Olympic Gold Medal Hockey Game in 1980, where the USA upset the USSR 4-3, to reclaim Gold. This is often known to be Al Michaels most famous game he ever broadcasted.
It was also at a tense moment in the Cold War. America actually boycotted the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow, but still hosted the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid.
As I look back at the year 1980, I can’t help but wonder how much of a factor did all the Summer Olympic Drama play in the 1980 Presidential election between Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan.
This article almost certainly has gotten lost to the dust-bin of history. But, it still deserves its flowers. https://www.espn.com/espn/eticket/story?page=perfectpats&redirected=true
Chuck Klosterman explains why losing the Super Bowl would make the Patriots immortal
As many of my regular readers already know, I’m a big fan of Chuck Klosterman’s most recent book on the 1990s.
*This story was originally published just after Patrick Mahomes first Super Bowl Championship. So, he was not even on the list of QBs who have made multiple SB appearances.