NFL Hall of Fame coach, broadcasting icon John Madden dies at 85

John Madden, the Hall of Fame broadcaster-turned-coach, who provided simple explanations combined with exuberant calls, died on Tuesday morning. He was 85 years old and served as the soundtrack for NFL games for three decades.

The organization stated that he passed away unexpectedly and did not provide specific information about the reason behind his death.

John Madden gained fame as the renegade coach of the Oakland Raiders, compiling a regular-season record of 7-32-103 and winning more than 100 games with the NFL’s best winning percentage of .759. He followed up the 1976 season by winning the Super Bowl and making it to the AFC title game seven times.

On October 16, 2011, Madden became the inaugural torchbearer, and in recognition of this, Mark Davis, the team proprietor, ignited the Al Davis Torch. Shortly before the Raiders announced in a statement that Coach Madden’s significance to the development and popularity of professional football was unparalleled, both on and off the field.

Mark Davis said, “Tonight, I will light the torch in tribute and honor to Al Davis and John Madden, who declared that the fire that burns brightest is the will to win in the Raiders Organization.”

Madden NFL Football, which is considered one of the most triumphant sports video games ever created, assumed the role of being the representative figurehead of Madden subsequent to his retirement from coaching at the age of 42. He marketed various establishments such as eateries, hardware stores, and breweries, constantly making his presence known as a spokesperson. During the games, he captivated millions with his spontaneous exclamations of “Boom!” And “Doink!” And enlightened the football community through his utilization of the telestrator during televised broadcasts.

Today, we mourn the loss of John Madden, a humble champion and a beloved coach and teacher to millions of fans, friends, and family. His knowledge of the game was only second to his love and appreciation for everyone who stepped on the gridiron. For more than 50 years, John Madden was synonymous with the sport of football, and his legacy will forever be cherished by the EA Sports brand and the entire Madden franchise.

Thanks, Coach pic.twitter.com/wnv8W1pIjJ

Madden, during the period of 1979 to 2009, provided coverage for 11 Super Bowls across four networks. He achieved a remarkable feat of winning 16 Emmy Awards for his exceptional analysis and charismatic presence in the field of sports. Throughout his illustrious three decades as a leading television sports analyst, Madden consistently served as the voice behind the games.

In 2006, when Madden was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, he expressed, ‘Are you a coach or a broadcaster or a video game individual?’ People frequently inquire. ‘I’m a coach, perpetually have been a coach.’

It was a feeling echoed by Jim Porter, the president of the Hall of Fame, in his statement on Tuesday evening.

Porter stated, “He was primarily a coach. He served as a coach on the field, a coach in the broadcast booth, and a coach in life.”

The Hall of Fame flag will be flown at half-staff in memory of the legendary coach Madden.

Pat Summerall and John Madden became the top announcing duo for NBC and ABC, calling prime-time games during the 2009 Super Bowl in which the Arizona Cardinals won over the Pittsburgh Steelers with a score of 27-23. This came after Madden retired from coaching and before he started his broadcasting career at CBS, with Summerall being a significant part of his success.

According to James Pitaro, the chairman of ESPN and sports content for The Walt Disney Company, “Madden served as an analyst for Monday Night Football at ABC Sports from 2002 to 2005. He will always be closely associated with the game. The fans’ admiration for him was equal to his passion for football.” John Madden was a legendary personality who successfully transitioned from being a coach to becoming one of the most influential and recognizable broadcasters in history, spanning various fields.

Selected Favorites

Madden, with his unpretentious and likable style, earned a place in America’s heart as an outstanding player in the Thanksgiving game. He gave a “turducken” – a turkey stuffed with a duck stuffed with a chicken – to the player who performed exceptionally well. Madden rode to the game from his own bus because he had stopped flying and felt claustrophobic. In a world of spiraling salaries and prima donna stars, Madden’s refreshing and unkempt, little and burly appearance made him a beloved figure in the sports world.

Today, he has made us forever indebted to him for what he did for the NFL and football. John Madden will never be another one like him. There were so many others who sounded incredible to me and the board. Roger Goodell, the commissioner of the NFL, said in a statement, “He was football. He loved football more than any coach.”

Jones, the owner of the Dallas Cowboys, stated, “I am not cognizant of anybody who has had a more significant influence on the National Football League than John Madden, and I am unaware of anyone who had a greater passion for the sport.”

When John Madden retired from the NBC broadcast booth for “Sunday Night Football,” his colleagues universally praised his passion for the sport and ability to explain the often-complicated game in relatable terms.

Al Michaels, Madden’s broadcasting colleague for seven years on ABC and NBC, expressed that collaborating with him “was akin to striking gold.”

Michaels stated, “He was far beyond solely being involved in football – an astute observer of all his surroundings and an individual who could engage in intelligent discussions on countless subjects.” “The phrase ‘Renaissance man’ is used too casually these days, but John was as near to it as one can get.”

For anyone who heard Madden exclaim “Boom!” While dissecting a play, his passion for the game was evident.

Madden, who also achieved success as an author, expressed in his book, “Hey, Wait a Minute! (I Wrote a Book!)”, That television is essentially a continuation of his coaching career.

He stated, “My understanding of soccer has been acquired through coaching.” “And to spectators, my sole aim is to transmit some of that expertise on television.”

In addition to having the highest win percentage as a head coach in NFL history, John Madden won 16 Emmy Awards for outstanding sports analyst/personality and covered 11 Super Bowls for four networks from 1979 to 2009. Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images

He obtained his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the university. Throughout 1957 and 1958, he participated in both the offense and defense for Cal Poly. Madden grew up in Daly City, California.

Instead of pursuing a professional playing career, San Diego State’s defensive coordinator, College Junior Hancock, had his hopes dashed due to a knee injury. However, he was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles and was selected to the all-conference team.

In the remarkable beginning of his 10th year, he was replaced by John Rauch as the head coach after the 1968 season. Al Davis brought him to the Raiders as a linebackers coach in 1967, and in Madden’s first year, Oakland went to the Super Bowl.

Madden was the ideal coach for the Raiders, who assembled a collection of misfits and castoffs. His disheveled appearance and demonstrative demeanor on the sideline were notable.

Madden once stated, “Sometimes, guys who were disciplinarians didn’t make any difference.” “I hated that; I was a disciplinarian when it came to jumping offsides. Missing tackles and being in a bad position. Those things. ‘Your hair needs to be neat,’ I wasn’t.”

The Raiders answered.

Quarterback Ken Stabler expressed, “His coaching approach was consistently regarded as his greatest asset.” “Both on and off the field, John had a remarkable talent for allowing us to express ourselves freely. … We played to win for him. How can you possibly repay someone for being so supportive?”

And boy, they certainly did. For many years, the only issue was the playoffs.

Throughout his term, the Raiders achieved victory in the division championship for seven out of his initial eight seasons, yet encountered defeat in six out of seven conference title games within that timeframe. This repetition of events persisted; Madden’s performance in his debut season resulted in a 12-1-1 record, with a loss in the AFL title game to the Kansas City Chiefs by a score of 17-7.

CoachWin percentageWinsJohn Madden.759103Vince Lombardi.73896George Allen.712116Blanton Collier.69176- ESPN Statistics & Information.

The San Diego Chargers recovered it before Dave Casper batted the ball to the end zone, where it was rolled and the touchdown-winning play was made. In 1978, Stabler purposely fumbled forward before being sacked on the final play, and “Holy There was” in the NFL. Madden’s Raiders still played in some games that helped change the rules in the NFL.

In one of the most famous games of the 1972 playoffs, the Pittsburgh Steelers went up against the Oakland Raiders, with the Steelers leading 7-6 and only 22 seconds left. On a fourth-and-10, Terry Bradshaw threw a desperation pass that was deflected off Franco Harris and caught by Frenchy Fuqua at his shoe tops. It was a touchdown for the Steelers, either off Jack Tatum from the Raiders or off Pittsburgh’s Harris Franco.

The play famously known as the “Immaculate Reception” sparked ongoing controversy as it involved a pass that bounced off an offensive player and was caught by a teammate, leading to debates about its legality. This incident occurred in the past.

Stabler, a talented team in 1976, finally succeeded in Oakland as the quarterback; Cliff Branch and Fred Biletnikoff as wide receivers; Dave Casper as the tight end; Gene Upshaw and Art Shell as offensive linemen, both of whom are in the Hall of Fame; and a defense consisting of George Atkinson, Otis Sistrunk, John Matuszak, Tatum, Ted Hendricks, and Willie Brown.

In Week 4, the Raiders suffered a significant defeat at the hands of the New England Patriots, with a score of 13-1. They retaliated against the Patriots by securing a 24-21 victory in their initial playoff match, despite facing challenges due to injuries. Additionally, they triumphed over the despised Steelers with a convincing 24-7 win in the AFC title game.

Oakland emerged victorious in a decisive 32-14 Super Bowl victory over the Minnesota Vikings.