LEGEND LOST
John Madden dead at 85 – Beloved Hall of Fame coach passes away ‘unexpectedly’ as NFL posts touching tribute
HALL of Fame Football coach, John Madden died Tuesday morning at the age of 85.
In a statement by the National Football League, the death was called “unexpected.”
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“On behalf of the entire NFL family, we extend our condolences to Virginia, Mike, Joe and their families,” said
“We all know him as the Hall of Fame coach of the Oakland Raiders and broadcaster who worked for every major network, but more than anything, he was a devoted husband, father and grandfather.”
“Nobody loved football more than Coach. He was football. He was an incredible sounding board to me and so many others,” said Goodell.
“There will never be another John Madden, and we will forever be indebted to him for all he did to make football and the NFL what it is today.”
Madden was also the namesake of the famous “Madden” video game franchise, one of the most successful sports video game franchises of all time.
He came the youngest head coach in pro football when he was hired to coach the Raiders, leading them to victory against the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl XI and finished his career with a 103-32-7 record.
He has the all-time highest winning percentage among all coaches who won at least 100 games.
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Madden retired from coaching at age 42, becoming a color analyst for all four major networks: CBS [1979-1993], Fox [1994-2001], ABC [2002-2005] and NBC [2006-2008].
After the 2008 NFL season, Madden retired from broadcasting.
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He won 16 Emmy Awards for outstanding sports analyst/personality and covers 11 Super Bowls between 1979 and 2009.
“People always ask, are you a coach or a broadcaster or a video game guy” said Madden when he was inducted to the Pro Football Hall of fame.
“I’m a coach, always been a coach.”
The cause of Madden's death is unknown at this time.
NEVER FORGOTTEN
Tributes for Madden have flooded in following the news of his passing.
Jerry Jones, owner of the Dallas Cowboys called Madden
“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.”
According to Jones, no one loved the game more than Madden. “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.”
Tom Brady wrote: “He as always so good to me. RIP to a legend of our game.”
Pittsburgh Steelers coach, called Madden “a true football man. RIP, Coach.”
EA Sports, which has developed and published many sports games including Madden NFL, on Madden’s passing.
“Today, we lost a true hero. John Madden was synonymous with the sport of football for more than 50 years. His knowledge of the game was second only to his love for it.” read a tweet.
“A humble champion, a willing teacher, and forever a coach. Our hearts and sympathies go out to John’s family, friends and millions of fans. He will be greatly missed, always remembered, and never forgotten.
Outside of the NFL, LeBron James paid respects "Rest in Paradise To the GOAT John Madden!!!! Your legacy will continue to live on!!!!!"
Madden is survived by his wife, Virginia Fields, who he married in 1959, and his two sons Michael and Joseph.
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One of Madden’s grandsons, Jesse, was the starting quarterback of his high school team and has sparked interest from many NCAA programs.
Jesse made his debut for the University of Michigan in September against Northern Illinois.
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