John Madden was in Atlanta to announce a football game one weekend when he noticed a special telephone near the Falcon's bench. He asked Dan Reeves what it was for and was told that it was the hotline to God. John asked if he could use it. Dan told him "Sure, but it will cost you $100." Madden scratched his head, then thought, what the heck. I need a break picking the games. He pulled out his wallet and paid the $100. Madden was perfect that week.
The next week Madden was in Florida when he noticed the same kind of telephone on the Miami bench. He asked Jimmy Johnson what the telephone was for and was told "It's the hotline to God. If you want to use it, it'll cost you $100." Recalling the previous week, Madden pulled out his wallet and made the call. Madden was perfect that week.
The next weekend Madden was in Pittsburgh at Three Rivers Stadium, when he noticed the same kind of telephone by the Steelers bench. He asked coach Bill Cowher, "Is that telephone the hotline to God?" Bill said "Yes and if you want to use it, it'll cost 35 cents." Madden looked incredulously at Bill and said, " Wait a second, I just paid $100 at Atlanta and $100 at Miami to use the same telephone to God. Why does Pittsburgh only charge 35 cents?" Bill looked at Madden and replied, "In Pittsburgh, it's a local call."
