On Tuesday, December 28th, 2021, the world lost a legend. Hall of Fame coach and broadcasting legend, John Madden passed away unexpectedly at age 85. Surviving his wife Virginia, two children, and five grandchildren. There is no person that has ever been involved with the game of football that made the impact John Madden did. From his coaching days all the way to the end of his life, John Madden is the single most iconic figure in football history.
Remembering John Madden: Football Legend
Coaching Career
The initial hiring of John Madden as head coach of the Oakland Raiders was shocking. An assistant linebacker coach, who became the youngest head coach in NFL history at age 32. However, Madden quickly proved that he was the man for the job. The Raiders instantly became one of the more recognizable teams in the NFL, with a persona like no other. Pillaging through the league with an attitude and demeanor that lives to this day, the Raiders became a historic franchise under Madden’s watch.
During his 10 seasons coaching the Raiders, Madden’s teams never had a losing record and he led Oakland to the playoffs eight times. His winning percentage as a head coach is the second-best in league history. Even with all the winning, the team fell short often in his early coaching career. However, in the 1976 season, Madden and the Raiders pummeled the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl XI. This cemented Madden as one of the greatest to ever coach the game of football.
While winning is nice, his coaching career can’t be summed up as wins and losses. Players loved him, fans loved him and his big heart shined when he led the Raiders during their most historic times.
Broadcasting Career
For as big of an impact as Madden had as a coach in the NFL, his impact in the broadcasting booth may be even bigger. Madden broadcasted on all major platforms, a maverick in the profession. He was one of the first to have such an eccentric personality, changing the sports broadcasting world forever. Madden was best known for his presence on Monday Night Football and Sunday Night Football. However, he called so many important games, from super bowls to Thanksgiving Day matchups.
“He put all the mustard on the brat”
John Madden was one of one…RIP pic.twitter.com/eBwHKwUNXh
— Mike Renner (@mikerenner_) December 29, 2021
Maddens unique way of calling games combined with his presence in the biggest moments helped propel him into glory. With catchphrases and an entertaining way to illustrate games, Madden made sports broadcasting what it is today. Madden is now known as one of the biggest most influential sports figures in history. Madden broadcasted for 30 seasons while winning 16 Emmy awards for his efforts.
Other Impacts
Those who don’t know Madden from the coaching and broadcasting history, know him as the voice of the most prolific sports video game franchise ever. From 1988 on, Madden has been the face of the Madden video games. While it faltered late, Madden initially viewed the Madden video games as a teaching tool for young people to learn and grow with the game of football. Madden coached, broadcasted and lived the same way, treating everything as a teaching moment to grow the game of football. That was his biggest impact on the game and it still lives on to this day.
While football may not be important to everyone, it was important to Madden and it’s important to millions of Americans who loved John Madden. From Raider fans on down, this is a sad week and our thoughts are with everyone.
Main photo:
Embed from Getty Images
