When you hear the name John Madden, you think of football. But more importantly, when you hear the word "football," you immediately think of John Madden.
Perhaps no other name is more synonymous with the sport of football than Madden, be it due to his coaching brilliance, or his unmatched broadcasting legacy, or his revolutionary role in the sports video game industry, or any one of the multitude of other contributions he made.
And so, with his unfortunate and unexpected passing at age 85 on Tuesday, the sports universe was full of tributes, memories and anecdotes about various experiences involving Madden that transcended the football community and showed just how far-reaching his impact was.
Several of the NFL's brightest stars of past and present were joined by a chorus of fellow athletes who, regardless of sport, were affected by Madden's greatness over the years.
The sports media landscape, as well as prominent figures in television media in general, also shared their thoughts on the sad news and memories of Madden's life.
And lastly, some words from coaches and front office figures in the NFL who were undoubtedly inspired by the legendary icon.
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