Why is John Madden afraid to fly?

In 1960, while a graduate assistant coach of the Cal Poly Sal Luis Obispo football team, Madden missed one of the team's road games, staying behind to coach a junior varsity game. The plane carrying the team crashed in Ohio, killing 16 members of the team. He's never flown since.

Madden is noted for his fear of flying, believed to be related to the October 29, 1960, plane crash that claimed the lives of sixteen players, the team’s student manager, and a football booster all from his alma mater, Cal Poly. Having graduated from the school only two years previous, Madden lost many friends in the accident. However, it is known that Madden flew up until 1979, when he had a panic attack on a flight originating in Tampa. He stated once in an interview that it was not about turbulence, flying or heights, but primarily claustrophobia. He also once noted that when he did fly, traveling all over the United States did not allow him to see anything.

Therefore he travels around the country in a luxurious customized coach-bus, which he has dubbed the Maddencruiser. Because of this, Madden has never done commentary during a Pro Bowl since they are held in Hawaii, on the island of Oahu, and states that he never will. However, if by chance the Super Bowl is ever held in Hawaii and he is slated to announce it, he plans to take a cruise ship to Hawaii.

John Madden Plane Crash

Judging by some of the idiotic "answers" you've gotten so far it looks like too many people have no idea about the pain and suffering that people with phobias must endure.

Madden has a phobia about flying. The phobia is called "aviophobia" and millions of people suffer from it. Exactly what causes Madden's phobia, well you'd have to ask him or his shrink.

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That would probably calm his little Madden-nerves enough to get on the plane. But once it leaves the runway Bret might have to do more than just hold his hand.

i think when he coached he was on a plane w/ his team that nearly crashed

or one when he was an announcer

and refuses to fly now

of course, that's why he takes a bus to every game that he commentates on

*shrug* Maybe he's superstitious

They don't serve turkducken on the plane.

actually is not aware of the airplane invention