Remembering NFL Legend, John Madden

On Tuesday, December 28, 2021, the football world lost a true giant in John Madden.  Many people now know and will remember him for the popular Madden NFL Football video game, which millions of football fans (including myself) have played throughout the years.  I will say I spent most of my college years playing Madden and those were some of the best times I’ve ever had in my life.  

But John Madden spent 10 years coaching the legendary Oakland Raiders teams of the 1970’s.  As coach of the renegade Raiders, he made it to seven AFC Championship games, and won Super XI (after the 1976 season) over the Minnesota Vikings 32-14.  That championship squad finished the regular season 13-1 and featured Ken Stabler, Fred Biletnikoff, Cliff Branch, Dave Casper and defensive stars Willie Brown and Ted Hendricks to name a few.  This was one of the best teams of all-time, in my opinion.  He had a 103-32-7 regular season record with a .759 winning percentage, which is the best among NFL coaches with more than 100 games.

It was said Madden began his broadcasting career at CBS after leaving coaching due to his well-known fear of flying (eventually leading to the Madden Cruiser).  Madden went to FOX in 1994 to help give the fledgling network a credible voice to their broadcasts.  He finished his career working for ABC and NBC calling prime-time games.  His last broadcast was memorable, ending on a high note with the Pittsburgh Steelers beating the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII, 27-23 on a touchdown catch by Santonio Holmes in the corner of the endzone with :35 left in the game.  I can still hear Madden say “unbelievable” after Al Michaels call of the score.  I will say that’s an unbelievable game for Madden’s broadcasting career to end on.

Memories Of John Madden

His larger-than-life persona will certainly be missed by all football fans, his “BOOMS” and “DOINKS” will always live on through his video games and in fans memories, I can still hear him and his long-time broadcasting partner Pat Summerall wax poetic about the Hogs (the Washington offensive line of the 1980’s), the awesomeness of Lawrence Taylor, the majesty of Joe Cool (Montana) or marveling about the running ability of Walter Payton and Emmitt Smith.  I learned what “Turducken” was and can see Troy Aikman, Michael Irvin, Jay Novacek and other great Cowboys of the 90’s feasting on the “bird” after a Thanksgiving victory.

He was truly a wonderful ambassador of the game because he could appeal to fans young and old due to his passion and unbelievable knowledge of the game.  The Hall of Famer will always be remembered simply as likable and someone you’d like to have a beer with.  

My mind drifts back to hearing him comment about a Brett Favre to Sterling Sharpe touchdown pass, a big hit by Mike Singletary or Randall Cunningham getting out of danger then scrambling for 20 yards.  I will finally say thank you, John Madden for making football such an integral part of my life, listening to you, and learning about the game was the soundtrack to my formative years of watching football.