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John Madden's 'Madden Cruiser' returns to Pro Football Hall of Fame

On3-Social-Profile_GRAYby:On3 Staff Report•06/02/23
Madden Cruiser
The Madden Cruiser is parked outside the Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio, on display for fans on Aug. 4, 2018. (Icon Sportswire / Getty Images)

The Pro Football Hall of Fame has a new display for fans to tour and it’s one that will almost certainly be a smashing success. The famous “Madden Cruiser” has made its way to Canton once again.

The Madden Cruiser is the bus that legendary broadcaster John Madden used to travel across the country to various assignments. Madden didn’t like flying, so he’d use ground transportation to get to the next game he was calling.

Over the years, Madden struck a deal with Greyhound to get a customized bus.

The agreement required Madden to do a few minor things to promo the transportation giant, but he came out well, ahead getting a souped-up luxury bus to travel around the country in.

As Madden’s fame continued to grow, so too did the legend of the Madden Cruiser.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame tweeted out a video announcing the Madden Cruiser is available for tours now, including a video from Madden himself touring the bus, which remains unchanged. Madden died in December 2021.

Before his death he was widely revered as one of the most beloved men in the sport.

Madden had a very short playing career after being drafted by the Eagles in 1958, with a knee injury in his first training camp ending his dreams of being a professional football player. He quickly pivoted to coaching.

The legendary broadcaster spent a few years as a defensive coordinator at San Diego State before jumping to the NFL ranks with the Oakland Raiders.

Madden coached the Raiders for 10 seasons, guiding the franchise to the Super Bowl XI championship as a coach. He walked away from coaching in 1979 to join CBS as a color commentator, beginning a promising broadcasting career that would eventually make him a household favorite.

Much of Madden’s charm was his everyday man persona. He was charming, affable and accessible, making him a favorite as he dominated the airwaves covering the NFL’s best games.

The Madden Cruiser was simply an extension of that, a reflection of Madden’s lifestyle.

Now fans can tour the famed bus at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton.