Hall of Fame coach and legendary broadcaster John Madden passed away Tuesday morning at the age of 85. It is being reported that Madden died unexpectedly.
Madden started his coaching career in 1960 when he was the assistant coach at Allan Hancock College of Santa Maria. Madden was promoted to head coach shortly after in 1962. Following the 1963 season, Madden was hired as a defensive assistant coach at San Diego State.
Madden got his first job in the NFL in 1967 when Al Davis hired him as linebackers coach. He helped the Raiders reach the Super Bowl that season, but ultimately lost to the Green Bay Packers. When Raiders head coach John Rauch resigned to take the head coaching position for the Buffalo Bills, Madden was promoted to head coach of the Raiders in 1969.
In Madden’s first seven years as coach, he led the Raiders to five AFC Championship games, but would lose all five. The Raiders lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers three of the five years, including the “Immaculate Reception” game in 1972. But in 1976, the Raiders finally exorcised their demons and beat the Steelers in the AFC Championship 24-7.
Oakland moved on to beat the Minnesota Vikings 32-14 for Madden’s only Super Bowl win. In 1977 the Raiders once more reached the AFC Championship but lost to the Denver Broncos 20-17. After the Raiders failed to make the playoffs in 1978, Madden retired from football.
Madden started his legendary broadcasting career in 1979 with CBS. He started out calling lower-profile games before working his way to the top. Madden teamed with DIck Stockton, Frank Glieber, Vince Scully, Verne Lundquist, and Gary Bender before joining Pat Summerall. Madden and Summerall won CBS Networks’ top Broadcasting duo in 1981.
In 1994, Madden joined FOX when they secured the rights to NFL games. He called games there till 2001 before joining ABC Sports to call Monday Night Football games with Al Michaels. At the peak of his powers, Madden reportedly made $5 million per year during his time with ABC.
After ABC Madden Moved to NBC from 2006-2008, calling Sunday Night Football games. This would make Madden the first broadcaster to work for ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC. Madden won 16 Emmy Awards and covered 11 Super Bowls for the four networks.
Younger generations mostly know Madden from his hit video game bearing his name. Madden’s first video game came out in 1988, becoming an annual release from 1990 onwards, and still going strong.
During Madden’s time on the sidelines, the Raiders made it to seven AFC title games and won the Super Bowl following the 1976 season. He compiled a 103-32-7 regular-season record, and his .759 winning percentage is the best among NFL coaches with more than 100 games. Madden coached some great players in his time players like Fred Biletnikoff and Cliff Branch at receiver; tight end Dave Casper; Hall of Fame offensive linemen Gene Upshaw and Art Shell; and a defense that included Willie Brown, Ted Hendricks, Tatum, John Matuszak, Otis Sistrunk, and George Atkinson.
Madden was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame in 2006 and will be truly missed.
-LaMarr Fields
Twitter: @raiderway83