The legendary broadcast duo of John Madden and Pat Summerall didn’t come together through a carefully orchestrated executive plan—it was the result of CBS Sports trying to rein in a broadcast booth known for heavy partying and off-field drama.
In his upcoming book, "Madden & Summerall: How They Revolutionized NFL Broadcasting," veteran journalist and author Rich Podolsky traces how the unlikely pairing of the fiery coach and the understated play-by-play man reshaped the way America watched football. From risky CBS decisions to iconic Miller Lite commercials, Podolsky offers a behind-the-scenes look at the personalities and pivotal moments that changed NFL television forever.
Beyond sports, Podolsky is a lifelong music fan and the author of "Don Kirshner: The Man with the Golden Ear" and "Neil Sedaka: Rock ‘n’ Roll Survivor." His most recent book, "You Are Looking Live!," revisits his CBS Sports years.
Podolsky has been writing and reporting since the 1970s, with bylines in ESPN, the Philadelphia Daily News, the Palm Beach Post, the Wilmington News Journal, College & Pro Football Newsweekly, and TV Guide. He also served as a staff writer for CBS and earned the Pennsylvania Newspaper Publishers' Keystone Award for writing excellence.
