NBC will honor John Madden during its broadcast of the Miami Dolphins vs. Green Bay Packers game on Thanksgiving night as a continuous celebration of John Madden’s massive contribution to football.
The broadcast week has a two-minute opening highlighting the legendary Madden Cruiser’s journey all the way from the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, to Lambeau Field.
The legend’s last chauffeur was driven by J.J.; the bus moves to miracle Midwest landmarks that include Soldier Field and a Boys & Girls Club in Wisconsin before they got to Green Bay.
Madden freely gave out the Cruiser to the Hall of Fame in 2018; the preferred bus traveled in 1979 on a flight after a panic attack that happened on a flight. A total number of five Madden Cruisers were deployed throughout his professional career, with the first logging more than 600,000 miles.
This will be the third that the NFL will be celebrating John Madden Thanksgiving. The event honors the iconic coach and broadcaster who died three years ago.
The late coach and broadcaster called 20 Thanksgiving matches while he was alive, creating traditions such as awarding turkey legs to MVPs. Turkey legs and turduckens will not be made by Hall of Fame safety Leroy Butler in the honor of Madden’s enduring legacy.