John Madden Has Passed Away – Opinion

John Madden, who was an Oakland Raiders Super Bowl-winning coach and had a long career in TV colour commentary, as well as being known for his football video game. Madden was 85.

Born in Minnesota, Madden’s family moved to Daly City in the San Francisco Bay Area when he was young. Madden was a football player in high school, college and on the defensive and offensive lines. However, Madden was not drafted into the NFL by the Philadelphia Eagles after sustaining a knee injury.

Madden’s coaching career began in 1960, the same year the AFL — with which he would become synonymous — started to play. Al Davis, the Oakland Raiders’ owner, hired Madden in 1967 as Raiders’ linebacker coach. Madden was 32 when he became the Raiders’ head linebacker coach.

Madden preferred to wear a shorter-sleeve shirt with a askew tie, in an age when coaches wore suits and ties on the sidelines. Madden’s unkempt exterior and enthusiastic sideline demeanour were perfect for the rebellious Raiders. Madden’s Raiders won the Super Bowl with an impressive 32-14 win over the Minnesota Vikings. They had been close to winning the title before finally reaching the final. Madden quit coaching due to both burnout and personal health concerns in January 1979.

Madden began his broadcast career in the booth late that year. His run lasted up to February 2009 when he was forced to retire after calling Super Bowl XLIII. He was known for his warm and friendly personality as well as his ability to explain complex football concepts to casual football fans. Madden, despite being a common hero for the people, was an advocate of NFL players who rarely saw the spotlight. For example, he would routinely bring out a turkey with additional legs stuck on to the Thanksgiving Day games he called, serving it post-game on the field to the winning team’s offensive linemen, so each could get a turkey leg.

Madden remained in San Francisco Bay Area until the day he died. He was often heard talking about football on radio and local news stations. He was openly dismayed when the Raiders moved to Las Vegas, lamenting the team’s departure as the end of an era of which he was a focal point.

God speed, John Madden. Your football game was a joy to watch.

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