Daily Madden: Ending Rivalry Game Is Not The Answer
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) - Following the violence at the 49ers-Raiders game at Candlestick Park Saturday night, 49ers President Jed York said he wants to suspend the traditional pre-season match-up. John Madden told the KCBS morning crew he doesn't think that's a good idea.
"I would hate to see that happen," Madden said. "Sports are really based on rivalry games, and I think sometimes you take the definition of a rivalry too far.... Until someone says 'I'm wrong and that type of behavior isn't right and I'm not going to do it anymore,' we're still going to have it. It doesn't make any difference if it's Oakland and San Francisco, or Dallas and San Francisco, or Pittsburgh and Oakland, or whoever."
John said he does think more security is needed in the parking lot, where many of the troublemakers congregate.
"It's not that they're fans... they're idiots that know that there's a free for all and they can go down there to be a hooligan," said the former Coach.
Meanwhile, 49ers running back Frank Gore said he'll test free agency if the team doesn't give him a contract extension.
"I would think that Frank Gore is important to the 49ers," John said. "I think they would like something settled with him. Now whether he's going to be totally happy or not, I don't know." (8:10)
(Listen to the John Madden segment live weekday mornings at 8:15 on KCBS All News 740 AM/106.9 FM.)
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