Madden & Summerall

How They Revolutionized NFL Broadcasting

By: Rich Podolsky, Troy Aikman - foreword, Joe Buck - foreword

Narrated by: Tim H. Dixon

Madden & Summerall tells the inside story of how two unlikely partners became the greatest broadcast duo in NFL history.

This is the story of how John Madden and Pat Summerall got to CBS and, although very different, how they became the greatest broadcast team of all time. It is told by Rich Podolsky, who worked alongside them both at CBS.

Separately, they were great. Together, they were the greatest ever. Madden & Summerall is about two stalwarts of the game, but their story is not without controversy. Summerall was a five-sport star who became a broadcaster by accident. Uncharacteristically, he was a morning drive-time radio host before he found his path on TV. Madden was a bigger-than-life Super Bowl-winning coach, and he easily could have been a stand-up comedian.

We all remember the great storytelling John Madden, who won sixteen Emmy Awards, but we don’t remember how much he struggled his first two years on the air to find his way. In fact, he was almost fired after his first season. It wasn’t until he was paired with Summerall that it all clicked. They were so different, yet so perfect together—like peanut butter meeting jelly for the first time.

The book follows the intimate stories of their lives from childhood to death: before and during their great twenty-one-year partnership. Never-before-told insider stories (some fun, some scathing) from friends, family members, and dozens of ex-colleagues pepper these chapters.

©2025 Rich Podolsky (P)2025 Lyons Press

Me

My name is John Madden, so was my uncles. I am a Panthers fan but will ALWAYS have a spot for Raiders, no matter which city.

Madden Summerall great book

Great sports book. Great narrator and easy listen. You won’t regret listening to the audiobook!

Really good

Like everyone, I enjoyed watching Madden & Summerall football games. I get really nostalgic when I see their image or hear mention of their names. It’s nice to know they were basically the personalities they projected on their broadcasts and hear the machinations that put them in our living rooms.

Madden and Summerall

A must for anyone who grew up with football in the 70s, 80’s, 90’s or current. A celebration of voices and personalities that shared their lives with so many fans!

Entertaining read for football and Madden fans alike

Entertaining, light – hearted read that gives a well – rounded look at both men, their differences, and how they were able to use them to create a great team. Also does a nice job of shedding light and giving kudos to those around both men that helped them - both personally and professionally. Only thing the book was lacking was a good copy editor, since there are plenty of things that are repetitive and could’ve easily been eliminated. Narrator was perfect for the light nature of the text.