Yesterday's Super Bowl marked the last broadcast on which Pat Summerall would team with John Madden on Fox' No. 1 NFL team, and in CA, Bob Keisser cites a source as saying Summerall's decision to leave the net "had less to do with Summerall's age or falloff in ability than keeping him around at his reported $2 million-plus annual salary." Keisser: "Any Fox exec who watched Super Bowl XXXVI would certainly have to explain why the 71-year-old Summerall was being sent to stud. He may not be as sharp as he was two decades ago, and he certainly doesn't translate to that hip, young demographic everyone in TV wants. ... But he's still better than 90[%] of the others in his field" (LONG BEACH PRESS-TELEGRAM, 2/4). The N.Y. Daily News' Mike Lupica, on Summerall: "In an age of shouters and smirkers and endless shtick, Summerall's been a figure of understatement, unselfishness and complete professionalism. ... He's been the quiet giant of a loud profession, and he will be missed" ("Sports Reporters," ESPN, 2/3). In Denver, Dusty Saunders writes Super Bowl XXXVI "offered a vintage performance by Summerall and analyst John Madden. ... The two provided their patented style of teamwork" (ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS, 2/4). In VA, Jerry Lindquist notes Fox "sent Summerall on his way with a post-game tribute that included a taped piece, a plaque and a bunch of kind words. No matter how much, it just didn't seem like enough" (RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH, 2/4). In Atlanta, Mike Tierney: "Good thing Madden and Summerall swapped their good-byes early in the fourth quarter. Pros to the end, they resisted more verbal backslaps and stayed focused on the field. Right on, gents" (ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 2/4).
LAST WORDS: Summerall said to Madden during the game about his departure, "They can take me from here, standing next to you, which is going to happen. But one thing they can't take is my feeling for you, the friendship we developed. We've been a team, and I'm proud of that fact. We've been a winning team" (Fox, 2/3). In NJ, Steve Politi writes Summerall "made it clear in his closing comments that he wasn't happy with the decision" to leave the network (Newark STAR-LEDGER, 2/4).
GOING OUT WITH CLASS: The AP's Howard Fendrich writes Summerall "was right on the mark throughout, repeatedly teeing up comments that cued Madden for adroit analysis" (AP, 2/4). USA TODAY's Rudy Martzke writes Summerall "slumped in midgame but came on strong at the finish of his final game" (USA TODAY, 2/4). In N.Y., Bob Raissman writes Summerall and Madden "gave viewers an honest call. They go out on top" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 2/4). In Hartford, Shawn Courchesne: "Summerall succeeded with an understated professionalism" (HARTFORD COURANT, 2/4). In Houston, David Barron: "Summerall helped ensure Super Bowl XXXVI will be primarily remembered not as his swan song, but for the memorable football game that it was" (HOU. CHRONICLE, 2/4).
SOME SAY TIME TO GO: In San Diego, Jay Posner writes Summerall "makes too many mistakes for someone in his position, especially on critical plays" (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 2/4). In Albany, Pete Dougherty writes Summerall "has become too cliche, too slow to identify players." At the end of last night's game, Summerall "sounded as if he was at a presidential inauguration. His understated tone was a trademark, but sometimes an announcer needs to show some emotion." Fox NFL analyst John Madden "needs a better partner" (Albany TIMES UNION, 2/4). In Pittsburgh, Chuck Finder writes, "If you didn't tune in at all last night, you missed a heck of a game. Shame of it was, ... Summerall missed some of it, too" (POST-GAZETTE, 2/4). NEWSDAY's Steve Zipay writes, "Unfortunately Super Bowl XXXVI wasn't the smoothest of farewells" (NEWSDAY, 2/4). In Palm Beach, Charles Elmore notes last night's game was decided on a field goal as time expired, but Summerall's "voice barely rose a note. ... His tone couldn't have been more matter-of-fact if the Giants had tied up at halftime against the Eagles in September" (PALM BEACH POST, 2/4).
