John Madden Hates Will Ferrell, Blasts The Actor For Baseball ‘Stunt’

GLENDALE, Ariz. – Apparently Hall of Fame football coach and broadcaster John Madden is not a Will Ferrell fan. The NFL legend who is now more known for the football video game that shares his name, went on a KCBS Morning news show on Thursday to blast Ferrell for his Spring Training “stunt.”

Ferrell played 10 different positions for 10 different teams during five Cactus League games on Thursday, all in an effort to raise money for the fight against cancer. The entire day was documented by HBO and “Funny or Die,” as Ferrell hilariously traveled by helicopter across the state of Arizona playing every position on the diamond including DH.

Madden called Ferrell’s MLB stunt “disrespectful” and “insulting to the game of baseball.”

“I hate it,” he said of Ferrell’s escapades. “That’s a lack of respect for the game and for what players have to do get where they are.”

Madden was being completely serious in his critique of Ferrell and he appears to be alone in his sentiments. Not only is Spring Training arguably the perfect venue for Ferrell an HBO to pull off an event like this, but also many of the players, coaches, teams, and executives involved loved what Ferrell did.

“I think what he is doing is really awesome,” said Dodgers center fielder Joc Pederson who hit a home run over Ferrell’s head while he was playing right field for the San Diego Padres. “He’s doing it for Stand Up To Cancer, so I’m all for it. He’s an extremely funny guy and it’s even cooler that we got to meet him. He’s helping raise money and save lives, so I’m all for it.”