The NFL world lost a legend on Tuesday, when the league announced the passing of former head coach and broadcasting icon John Madden at age 85.
One of the most recognizable names and faces in the history of the sport, Madden’s passing led to countless players, coaches, players and media members around the NFL and beyond sharing their fond memories of the Hall of Famer. The Giants were among them, sharing a fond memory of former head coach Tom Coughlin receiving an emotional voicemail from Madden following Big Blue’s narrow loss to the undefeated Patriots in the 2007 regular season finale.
Coughlin, with New York’s playoff spot already secured, still elected to play all of his starters as the Patriots tried to finish off an undefeated regular season, and Madden wanted to express his appreciation in a phone call to Coughlin.
“Just called to congratulate you and your team for a great effort last night,” Madden’s voicemail said. “Not good, but great. I think it's one of the best things to happen in the NFL in the last ten years, and I don't know if they all know it, but they should be very grateful to you and your team for what you did. I believe so firmly in this: that there is only one way to play the game, and it is a regular season game and you go out and win the darn game. I was just so proud being a part of the NFL and of what your guys did and the way you did it. You proved that it's a game and there's only one way to play the game and you did it.”
The Giants lost that game 38-35, and of course, famously shocked New England in the rematch in the Super Bowl, spoiling the Patriots’ quest for history. Madden likely saw it as a reward for giving it their all in the regular season finale, which he told Coughlin the league needed badly.
“The NFL needed it,” Madden said. “We've gotten too much of, ‘Well, they're going to rest their players and don't need to win, therefore they won't win.’ Well, that's not sports and that's not competition. I'm a little emotional about it. I'm just so proud. It's something we all need to thank you for, and I believe the NFL needed that.”
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