John Madden, the legendary Raiders coach and analyst, died Tuesday morning at the age of 85.
The commissioner of the National Football League gave honor to the Hall of Famer's storied career and extended his sympathies to Madden's family.
He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather, and we all know him as the Hall of Fame coach of the Oakland Raiders.
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Coach loved football more than anyone else. He was a football player. He was an amazing sound board. We will always be indebted to John Madden for all he did to make football what it is today.
The impact of Madden on football was amazing. Madden was the youngest coach in the AFL when he became the head coach of the Oakland Raiders. He led his Raiders to the best record in both the NFL and the AFL. He won a Super Bowl with the team in 1976, defeating the Minnesota Vikings 32-14.
Madden is still the winningest coach in Raiders history. His.759 win percentage is the highest ever for an NFL coach with at least 100 games. Guy Chamberlain has a higher all-time win percentage. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The coach was a rebel and free thinker who was a perfect match for Al Davis, who was a maverick.
Madden left a big legacy in his next career. He continued to expand the appeal of football from the broadcast booth after retiring from coaching. Madden was well-known for his insightful takes and colorful commentary in a 30-year career that ended in 2008.
His signature exclamations of "Boom!" or his signature phrases that sounded like great wisdom were always recognizable.
I used to say that we are here to win. And you know what, Al? You don't lose when you win.
If the quarterback throws the ball in the end zone and the wide receiver catches it, it is a touchdown.
Madden became the face of the popular video game franchise of the same name that featured many of his Maddenisms. The yearly release of the football franchise has become a staple in any sports gaming library and is the best simulation-style football franchise of all-time.
Madden was an active developer in the early years of the game, which they wanted to create a game that accurately depicted the sport and the NFL as a league.
Madden advocated for rule changes to improve player safety during his final years as an advisor to the NFL.
Fox Sports aired a documentary about the legend's influence on the sport. The documentary will be available to watch on a variety of services.
Madden is survived by his wife of 62 years, Virginia, and two sons, Joseph and Michael.
