NFL coaching legend, sports commentator John Madden dies unexpectedly at 85

Yesterday the world was saddened to hear that legendary football coach, commentator, and sports enthusiast John Madden died unexpectedly on the morning of December 28. The NFL coaching legend was 85 at the time of his passing.

The new John Madden documentary was due to debut on @peacockTV on January 3. It will now be posted at midnight tonight, for three months. It also will be available on @ESPNPlus and @Tubi. pic.twitter.com/gvcjFy06jf

— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) December 29, 2021

Madden began his coaching career as a linebackers’ coach in 1967 for the Oakland Raiders, where he was promoted to head coach in 1969 – making him the youngest head coach in the AFL.

Madden coached the Raiders for 10 seasons, posting a regular season record of 103 wins, 32 losses and 7 ties. During that time, he guided the team to seven Western Division titles, including five in a row from 1972 to 1976. Under Madden’s guidance, Oakland never experienced a losing season. Madden’s Raiders made eight playoff appearances, including a 37-31 six-quarter AFC Divisional Playoff win over the Baltimore Colts in 1977.

Perennial winners, the team never finished with fewer than 8 wins in the then-14 game season (8-4-2 in 1970, 1971). ~ Pro Football Hall of Famer

When Madden and Summerall did our games, every player & every coach was excited. It felt big. I told John Madden everything. I trusted him & he never betrayed it. I admired John’s passion for the game most and his truth. He was and will he remembered as a GIANT for football. pic.twitter.com/Oyy5C0GZg1

— Phil Simms (@PhilSimmsQB) December 29, 2021

Citing burnout as the cause for leaving coaching after the 1978 season, Madden went on to have a successful career as a celebrity color commentor for NFL games. He and Pat Summerall worked together for more than 20 years until he went on the co-host “Monday Night Football” in 2002 alongside Al Michaels.

A statement on the great John Madden from @nflcommish. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/HwUm8eT8rr

— NFL (@NFL) December 29, 2021

If you think about it, I’ve never held a job in my life. I went from being an NFL player to a coach to a broadcaster. I haven’t worked a day in my life, and I am the luckiest guy in the world. ~ John Madden per IMDB

Madden retired from his TV broadcasting gig in 2008 but continued to make sporadic radio appearances as well as appearing in TV commercials for Miller Lite and other commercial concerns.

Beginning in 1988, he became well-known to the younger generation when he lent his voice and award-winning personality to the Madden NFL series of football video games.

No cause for his death has yet been reported.  For more on the Hall of Fame football coach and broadcasting legend, see the video accompanying this article.

Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today   /   Follow Richard on Facebook and Twitter