FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, November 21st, 2023
JOHN MADDEN’S RELATIONSHIP WITH DARRYL STINGLEY HIGHLIGHTED IN SPECIAL THANKSGIVING FEATURE AT HALFTIME OF 49ERS-SEAHAWKS, THURS., NOV. 23 ON NBC AND PEACOCK
Told for First Time to National TV Audience, Story Includes Interviews with Virginia Madden (John’s wife) and Mike Madden (John’s son), and Tina Stingley (Darryl’s wife), Derek Stingley Sr. (Darryl’s son) and Texans CB Derek Stingley Jr. (Darryl’s grandson)
“Coach Madden kissed Darryl’s hand and he said, ‘Buddy, it’s going to be alright.’” – Tina Stingley
Emmy Award-Winning Actor Sterling K. Brown to Narrate
STAMFORD, Conn. – Nov. 21, 2023 – The unique relationship between Hall of Fame coach and broadcaster John Madden and New England Patriots wide receiver Darryl Stingley will be highlighted in an extended feature at halftime of the San Francisco 49ers-Seattle Seahawks matchup on Thanksgiving night on NBC and Peacock. The feature will be narrated by Emmy Award-winning actor Sterling K. Brown.
Stingley suffered a paralyzing injury in an Aug. 12, 1978 preseason game in Oakland against the Raiders, who were coached by Madden. In the months following the injury, Madden regularly visited Stingley in Eden Hospital in Castro Valley, and formed a friendship with Stingley and his family.
The relationship between the Madden and Stingley families, presented for the first time to a national TV audience, will be told through interviews with Virginia Madden (John’s wife) and Mike Madden (John’s son), and Tina Stingley (Darryl’s wife) and Derek Stingley Sr. (Darryl’s son). Earlier this month, Derek flew to California to meet Viginia and Mike for the first time. Darryl’s grandson, Derek Stingley Jr., a second-year cornerback on the Houston Texans who was a first-round NFL Draft choice like his grandfather, is also interviewed.
“America is very familiar with John Madden the Hall of Fame coach and broadcaster,” said Fred Gaudelli, Executive Producer, NFL for NBC Sports. “Now on a day where the National Football League honors his legacy, America will learn of Madden the humanitarian. We’re grateful for the Madden and Stingley families allowing us to tell this story.”
Following are select quotes from the piece:
“John wanted to see Darryl, so he talked his way into the operating room. He had to wear scrubs.” – Virginia Madden
“Coach Madden kissed Darryl’s hand and he said, ‘Buddy, it’s going to be alright.’” – Tina Stingley
“This is how he behaved in crisis. He tried to make Darryl’s life as good as it could be. He tried to be there like a surrogate family member for the Stingleys.” – Mike Madden
“Before we knew it, he became like family, because of him always being there. There were times when no one was there, but John Madden showed up.” – Derek Stingley Sr.
The halftime feature was produced by David Picker, Rob Hyland and Fred Gaudelli and edited by Ryan Yeager.
Last year, the NFL began honoring Madden with the “John Madden Thanksgiving Celebration,” an annual holiday celebration of his indelible legacy.
– NBC SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL –
