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I crawled out of my depressive stupor three days after hearing the shock heard round the world: "John Madden retires!" How could this happen? Sure he's seventy plus years old. But for some crazy, selfish reason, I thought my seasonal love affair with TV's best analyst and football's most loveable teddy bear would last forever.

But back to the future. A giant vacuum is quickly imploding the TV world of American football. Who can take the place of John Madden? Who can fill those wonderful shoes?

Mike Wilbon is a great choice. Just ask Tony Kornheiser. The stars of PTI bounce off each other like happy articulate moonbeams. I'm talking about Abbott and Costello. I'm talking about Starsky and Hutch. But if Mike Wilbon is mixed with Al Michaels a new chemical reaction will take place. It's the same mixture that produced the "welcome to my living room" camaraderie of Madden and Michaels. It's the same mixture that produced "yes, even I can understand football" across the nation.

Sunday Night Football will barely skip a beat if Mike Wilbon eases into those big shoes and into the announcing booth with Al Michaels. Both are laid back. Both are professionals. Both know football. Mike has an easy voice and a gentle spirit. He would finely tune an eager and astute audience. He would competently analyze for a new generation of fans without offending the football acumen of the viewing majority.

Other good choices are out there like Brian Kilmeade, Mike and Mike in the Morning and Tony Reali, the walking sports encyclopedia of America. But, there's something special about Mike Wilbon. It's intangible like the wind, but he's got it. Mike speaks the truth from his heart as he sees it. He is objective and calls it like it is. Sure he has his favorites, but who doesn't? Madden will always have a special place in his heart for the Oakland Raiders. Wilbon loves his Chicago, not so baby Bulls.

Cris Collinsworth, Terry Bradshaw and Howie Long have all been there. All have set foot on the sacred gridiron. So why should it be Mike Wilbon? It's the chemistry and perfect fit with Al Michaels. It's the easy voice. Most of all it's the same smart but approachable teddy bear factor of John Madden.

Whoever replaces John Madden should exemplify him, not go in a different direction. I'll be thinking about John Madden when Sunday Night Football rolls around in September. I'll be picturing him in his big recliner surrounded by his happy family. I'll be missing him too.

Happy Trails Mr. Madden.

Learn more about this author, Maureen Totterer.
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