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

[El Supremo]

Last edited Wed Dec 29, 2021, 04:45 PM - Edit history (1)

Source: ESPN

John Madden, the Hall of Fame coach-turned-broadcaster whose exuberant calls combined with simple explanations provided a weekly soundtrack to NFL games for three decades, died Tuesday morning, the NFL said. He was 85.

The league said he died unexpectedly and did not detail a cause.

Madden gained fame in a decadelong stint as the coach of the renegade Oakland Raiders, making it to seven AFC title games and winning the Super Bowl following the 1976 season. He compiled a 103-32-7 regular-season record, and his .759 winning percentage is the best among NFL coaches with more than 100 games.

"Few individuals meant as much to the growth and popularity of professional football as Coach Madden, whose impact on the game both on and off the field was immeasurable," the Raiders said in a statement, hours before team owner Mark Davis lit the Al Davis Torch in honor of Madden, the first person to ever light the torch on Oct. 16, 2011.


Read more: https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/32953839/nfl-hall-fame-coach-broadcasting-icon-john-madden-dies-85

[regnaD kciN]

1. EA's in big trouble...

…they aren’t going to keep naming the game after him now that he’s gone, and “NFL 23” isn’t going to have the same brand recognition.

[BumRushDaShow]

2. I was just going to say

He had a whole "empire" of sports games bearing his name that sealed his legacy.

R.I.P. to him.

[localroger]

10. I am sure his estate will continue to license his name

When Madden was originally approached about licensing his name he insisted that he would only do it if the game felt like an actual game of football, because all of the "football" games that had previously existed had been at best very crude approximations of what happens on a real field. The designers came through to satisfy him and the rest is history. Madden is now pretty much the brand, more than NFL itself, for NFL-like video gameplay.

[True Dough]

13. Just wouldn't be the same

If it becomes Belichick NFL 2023.

[BootinUp]

25. Are you sure about that? nt

[Hokie]

3. Passed away unexpectedly ...

Makes me suspect COVID-19.

Ironically, earlier today I had just watched a documentary on the Immaculate Reception from the 1972 payoff game between the Steelers and the Raiders. That's the game where Franco Harris caught a deflected ball thrown by Terry Bradshaw and ran it in for a touchdown to give the Steelers a miraculous win. It was aired on the 40th anniversary of the catch. Madden always believed the catch was illegal and the refs were afraid to overturn the TD because it might invoke a riot.

Madden was still so pissed about the game that he would not submit to an interview even 40 years later. In an earlier interview he said he would go to his grave believing the Raiders were robbed of the win. I suspect he fulfilled that prophecy.

[CTyankee]

17. He always looked like he was on the verge of a stroke to me. Maybe it was just his enthusiasm,

but I thought he always looked heavy and sluggish. I don't want to seem like a meanie but it was just the way he always looked to me.

[Mr.Bill]

4. A local news channel in the Bay Area

just ran a documentary about him last weekend. He was a giant in the football world. Someone in the documentary said he was to football what Elvis was to rock and roll.

[SouthBayDem]

5. Was that "All Madden"?

It was shown on the local Fox station because it was a Fox Sports special leading in to the Browns/Packers game. I watched it on TV. Had no idea Madden was going to be gone in a few days.

[Mr.Bill]

11. Yes, that was it.

Excellent show.

[aggiesal]

21. They're saying it was unexpected. n/t

[Hugh_Lebowski]

33. I don't buy it ...

I'm 95% certain that this national 'All Madden' special was timed to coincide with his expected death, in fact I bet they were thinking he'd be gone slightly before it aired.

If you saw the ads for it, and then watched it ... it was obvious.

[yonder]

30. We enjoyed that pregame tribute also though

it had so much of a "legend who passed" feel to it we all checked to see if he had just died. What a coincidence, now only three days later.

Growing up as Bronco fans, he and the Raiders were always the team to hate, storming up and down the sidelines with his arms helicoptering away at some disliked call.

IMO, he was excellent in the broadcast booth too. He had a very quick eye and with the "Telestrator" was always able to easily explain the intricacies of plays we had just seen.

Cross peacefully Coach, as long as it doesn't involve an airplane flight.

[iluvtennis]

6. Loved him. He could breakdwon football like no other and make it understandable to novices

as well as experienced folks.

May John Madden Rest in Peace and May His Memory Be a Blessing.

[vercetti2021]

7. RIP Madden

Big meme in this game

classic MadTV skit

[LoisB]

8. I always think of him as the Oakland Raiders' coach. RIP Coach but I will never forgive you for

beating my Vikings in Super Bowl XI.

[Auggie]

9. He made football fun, and revolutionized the way it was broadcast

Legendary, tops among the all-time greats.

[catchnrelease]

12. I loved that guy

I was a rabid OAKLAND Raiders fan back in the 70s and always loved that Madden would show emotion during the games. Mad, happy, frustrated etc. So many of the other coaches would be so stoic and business-like, but not Madden. You knew he was into the games. He was awesome.

RIP Coach

[SWBTATTReg]

14. I'll never forget the Oakland Raiders and Chiefs games w/ Madden at the helm, as well as Len

Dawson, and all of the others. It was a classic. From a died hard Chiefs fan, RIP, Mr. Madden.

[Casady1]

15. I always thought

he was going to have a heart attack on the sidelines during the game.

[BidenRocks]

16. The FOX special on Christmas was a mix of many speaking in the past tense

It was well done but seeing John just sitting before a screen, it looked like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and old age.
Check out the Fox special. It's Maddens finale.
BOOM!
Love to Virginia and the "kids".

[True Dough]

18. NFL video tribute to Madden...

Link to tweet

[tishaLA]

28. Wow I never knew he was teamed with Vin Scully

even if just for a little while, it must have been quite something. Fire and ice. Ella and Louis singing together. Velvet and sandpaper.

[11 Bravo]

38. I'm pretty sure that's Pat Summerall.

He and Madden teamed up on NFL broadcasts for years.

[tishaLA]

39. at the :02 mark in the video, he's there with Mr Scully

in the broadcast booth. Did you even watch the video as far as 2 seconds in?

[Jacson6]

19. Madden never played professional football

He was picked for a NFC team in the 1950's, but damaged his knee in practice. I loved listening to his commentary during NFL games.

[aggiesal]

20. Link to NFL announcement

[BeyondGeography]

22. He always came across as a good and fun human to me

In addition to being humble, passionate and knowledgeable.

And he was a great listen.

Summeral and Madden were the anti-poseurs, secure enough in their knowledge of the game to let its natural drama and imagery tell the story, adding painterly inserts of wisdom and humor to top it all off.

RIP

[GP6971]

24. Well Hello again!! Bye!

[twodogsbarking]

26. AFL legend too.

[tishaLA]

27. Jerruh Jones put out a beautiful statement

.....and I have a hard time saying anything good about Jones, so....Here it is:

“This is a loss that is as big as the legacy that John Madden created. A legacy of love. Love for family, for football and for life.

“I am not aware of anyone who has made a more meaningful impact on the National Football League than John Madden, and I know of no one who loved the game more.

“When I think of a person of sports who is worthy of the term, ‘larger than life,’ I have always thought of John. And I always will.

“If you knew John, he made your life better. For me he was a trusted confidant, advisor, a teacher and above all, a very dear friend. When he walked into the room, it was a better day. When he talked, you listened, and you learned. When he laughed, everyone in the room laughed. And when he got back on the bus to leave, you always wanted more. You were always looking forward to his next visit.

“Our hearts go out to Virginia and Joe and Mike and the grandchildren. He is survived by a wonderful family and literally millions of loved ones.

“A life in football is a gift and a blessing. John lived all of his days with dignity, kindness, and a sense of personal caring for everything and everyone.

“There is no one who lived a more beautiful football life than John Madden.”

[DinahMoeHum]

29. Always loved his Turkey Leg Award. . .

. . .at Thanksgiving Day games, given to the most outstanding player. It was fun to see him present it and watch the player take a bite.

Rest In Peace, Coach. You were a true original.

[CatWoman]

31. i loved that too

[LetMyPeopleVote]

32. John Madden, a legend, has passed away at 85

Link to tweet

[turbinetree]

34. When his team beat my team in XI Superbowl.....he just outplayed the purple people eaters...

my coach Bud Grant.....and you know what he didn't say one bad thing about the Vikings....and these were the player and coches that when to the HALL Of Fame...

Current/Future Hall of Famers
Raiders: Al Davis (owner/general manager), John Madden (head coach), Tom Flores (assistant coach), Fred Biletnikoff, Willie Brown, Dave Casper, Ray Guy, Ted Hendricks, Art Shell, Ken Stabler, Gene Upshaw
Vikings: Bud Grant (head coach), Carl Eller, Paul Krause, Alan Page, Fran Tarkenton, Mick Tingelhoff, Ron Yary


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Bowl_XI



And I still remember a case of Michelob beer .....and tickets to this Rock Show...
.ROCK SUPER BOWL XI
TANGERINE BOWL - ORLANDO - FLORIDA
JULY 4, 1981

REO SPEEDWAGON released "High Infidelity" in 1980 and then toured in the early 80"s to promote the album.

Hi Infidelity is the ninth studio album by REO Speedwagon released in 1980. It went on to become the biggest selling rock LP of 1981,
eventually selling over ten million copies. Six songs from this album hit Billboard charts, including "Keep On Loving You" which was the band's
first Number 1 hit, and "Take It on the Run", which reached No. 5 on the charts. The album title is a play on the term Hi-Fi, and the album art is
an illustration of this pun where an act of sexual infidelity is occurring while the man is putting a record LP to play on the hi-fi stereo. The song
"Tough Guys" uses an audio clip from the 1938 Our Gang episode Hearts Are Thumps.

THE ROSSINGTON COLLINS BAND on tour to promote their "Beauty on a Backstreet" album but despite touring constantly and recording
albums with efficiency, the duo could not find any pop success for a number of reasons, mainly because of the popularity of Disco. The Bands
lead guitarist G.E. Smith was also the musical director for Saturday Night Live and eventually became the lead guitarist of Bob Dylan's touring
band from June 7, 1988 to October 19, 1990.

FOGHAT commercial fortunes declined rapidly in the 1980's and the group broke up shortly afterward with Peverett retiring from the road. The
remaining members of the band (Roger Earl, Erik Cartwright, and Craig MacGregor) continued playing together as the "Kneetremblers".

BILLY SQUIER was on tour promoting his latest album "Don't Say Know" It stands as Squier's biggest career album, including the hits "In the
Dark", "Lonely Is the Night", "My Kinda Lover" and "The Stroke". The album hit the Top Five on the Billboard album chart and remained on the
chart for over two years.

[CarmanJohn]

35. Truly A GREAT Football Coach

But probably a Better Broadcaster. Always Loved John even as a Lifelong Steelers Fan. Can't help it, born and raised in Pittsburgh. Have to give credit where it's due, Can't go Nationwide and ask young people Who is Chuck Noll? Vast majority have No idea, ask the same thing of John? Totally different response. You will be missed Big Man, R.I.P.

[IrishAfricanAmerican]

36. RIP

[Omaha Steve]

37. After a review by forum hosts....LOCKING

Last edited Wed Dec 29, 2021, 04:45 PM - Edit history (1)

Unlocked for a new source and story.