‘Madden Cruiser I’ returns to public display in Canton

• Hall of Famer's famous bus placed on Hall of Fame Village campus; tours available for free

The “Madden Cruiser I” is now on display at Hall of Fame Village for fans to tour. It is stationed at Play-Action Plaza within the Village.

The Cruiser is one of the unique items in the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s collection and one that fans have enjoyed seeing over the years.

After the passing of its owner, Hall of Famer JOHN MADDEN, on Dec. 28, 2021, the bus was transported to the city of the team he previously coached: Las Vegas — previously the Oakland Raiders.

Upon arriving back in Canton after a week of being on display for the public in Las Vegas, the Madden Cruiser was placed into storage. Now it is getting another chance to shine.

With the world’s most famous bus being at the epicenter of the Hall of Fame Village, more people will be able to get a real-feel experience of the Madden Cruiser and experience the history that Madden left for those who love the game of football. With the inclusion of the “Madden Cruiser” in Play Action Plaza, a piece of the Pro Football Hall of Fame history is represented in a nontraditional museum setting.



An original Greyhound bus was converted into the earliest form of the “Madden Cruiser” in 1987, soon after Madden began his spectacular career in broadcasting. He made many references to his preference for the open road to travel by plane.

Following its donation to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the interior of the “Madden Cruiser I” was restored to its original condition with technology that was considered top-notch in the late 1980s that includes:

• Two color televisions (one in the rear, one in the front)
• Telephone and intercommunications system
• Citizen’s band radio
• Two laser disc players
• Built-in vacuum cleaner
• Stereo system
• Videotape player

The interior provided its passengers with a convenient and comfortable living situation, including multiple beds toward the front of the bus, a private room with a queen-sized bed in the rear for Madden, a complete kitchenette with a microwave oven and a full bathroom for Madden, his family and anyone else tagging along.

Now, people from across the globe can catch a glimpse of Madden’s experiences traveling by bus while they also enjoy other activities at Hall of Fame Village.
 

Additional facts related to the 'Madden Cruiser'

• In circa 1986, George Gravley — a Greyhound Lines public relations man — heard Madden in interview say he was thinking about a bus. He arranged to have Greyhound make a bus that with modifications was worth about $500,000 in 1987.
• Madden stopped boarding planes and traveling by air in 1979.
• Greyhound offered the bus — a custom-fitted, 40-foot MCI motor coach — and two drivers that would be available 24 hours a day in 1987. In exchange, Madden agreed to a series (approximately 30 that first year) of motivational speeches to the company’s employees.
• Madden began his broadcast career in 1979 with CBS as a commentator and was still with the network during the time he traveled on "Madden Cruiser I." He was the first sportscaster to work on all of the “Big Four” networks. In 1994, Madden and Pat Summerall jumped to the Fox network. In 2002, Madden switched to ABC, where he was paired with play-by-play announcer Al Michaels. In 2006, NBC recruited him to jump networks again.
• In 1994, after seven years and more than 600,000 miles on the road, Madden received another motor coach, “Madden Cruiser II.” The new custom bus was 5 feet longer than the original and had a raised roof.
• There were six motor coaches total from 1987 until 2009, the last one debuting in 2005. Sponsors for the later busses included Walker Mufflers and Outback Steakhouse.
• Although the bus had a bed during his travels, Madden usually slept in a hotel and the bus was parked nearby.
• Madden’s costs on the bus were food and telephone calls.
• The "Madden Cruiser" was on display on the “red carpet” for the 2022 NFL Honors Show in Los Angeles.
• The "Madden Cruiser" was also on display at Super Bowl LVI and at RingCentral Coliseum, previously known as Oakland County Coliseum for John Madden’s Celebration of Life Ceremony on Feb. 14, 2022. The Oakland County Coliseum was the home stadium for the Oakland Raiders when Madden was coach of the team.
• The "Madden Cruiser" is stored at a local, offsite bus management storage facility during the school year and will be on campus during the summer months and for special events.