To some, “Madden” is the name of the most influential sports video game of all-time. To others, the greatest color commentator in sports television history. And the most senior among us, the head coach who compiled the greatest winning percentage in modern NFL history. For decades, John Madden played a large part in one of America’s greatest rituals, becoming as much of a fixture in U.S. homes on Thanksgiving Day as turkey, stuffing and your crazy uncle. So on this special Thanksgiving holiday episode we look at what life would’ve been like had Madden never stepped away from coaching. How long would the Oakland Raiders have remained on top of the NFL? What network would abandon their sports division? Why would football players have a harder time learning their playbooks? And what would all of this have to do with beer, cholesterol and the life expectancy of U.S. men? On this episode of Alternate Routes we cover all that plus touchdowns and turduckens. Boom.

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