In a somber turn of events, the sports world bid farewell to an icon as John Madden, the legendary coach, broadcaster, and video game pioneer, passed away at the age of 85.
John Madden, the 16-time Emmy Award winner and Pro Football Hall of Famer who gave his name to the NFL-affiliated video game franchise Madden NFL, passed away. He was eighty-five years old. On Tuesday, December 28, 2021, the NFL released a press statement reporting the catastrophe.
Madden's contributions to the world of football and his lasting impact on sports entertainment have left an indelible mark on fans, players, and enthusiasts alike.
Who Was John Madden?
John Madden was a sports pundit and American football coach in the National Football League (NFL). His real name was John Earl Madden, and he was born on April 10, 1936. From 1969 to 1978, he was the Oakland Raiders' head coach.
During that time, the team made eight trips to the postseason, won seven division titles, appeared in seven AFL/AFC Championship Games, and won its first Super Bowl title in Super Bowl XI. Among NFL head coaches, Madden has the best winning percentage, having never had a losing season.
Madden had many hats over his career. After being hired to coach the Raiders, he became the youngest head coach in professional football history. He won Super Bowl XI with the Raiders against the Minnesota Vikings, and he concluded his career with a record of 103-32-7.
Of all the coaches who have won at least 100 games, he has the highest winning percentage of all time.
He transitioned to broadcasting as his time as a Hall of Fame coach came to an end. For more than thirty years, his broadcasts offered an NFL game soundtrack every week.
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In addition, Madden has experimented with the video game industry; the Madden NFL video game series is named after the legendary football player.
How Did John Madden Die?
John Madden, aged 85, passed away suddenly. No cause of death has been disclosed as of yet. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell wrote the following in honor of the icon:
“We send our condolences to Virginia, Mike, Joe, and their families on behalf of the entire NFL family. Above all, he was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. Everyone knows him as the Oakland Raiders Hall of Fame coach and as a broadcaster for all the major networks.”
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“Nobody loved football more than Coach,” Goodell went on. He was the game. For me and many others, he served as an amazing sounding board.”
“We will always be grateful to John Madden for everything he did to shape football and the NFL into what they are today. There will never be another John Madden.”
Who is John Madden's Wife?
In Pismo Beach, California, John Madden met Virginia Fields, his future wife, at a bar. The two were enrolled at California Polytechnic University at the time when they were pursuing master's degrees.
Soon after, the couple tied the knot and made Pleasanton, California, their home. There, they reared their boys, Michael and Joseph. Before John's sudden death, the pair had been together for more than 50 years.
