Editor's Note: KCBS Radio will have full coverage of John Madden's public memorial celebration online and on the air. You can stream the ceremony live on KCBSRadio.com starting at 5:30 p.m., and tune into KCBS Radio 106.9 FM and 740 AM.
You couldn't miss the diehard tailgaters honoring John Madden hours before his public memorial celebration at the Oakland Coliseum on Monday.
Across 66th Avenue from the Coliseum, an unofficial celebration of the former Oakland Raiders coach and KCBS Radio contributor started on Friday night. Griz Jones, the founder of Forever Oakland, told KCBS Radio that fans have been coming out in shifts for the "Official Memorial Worldwide Tribute Tailgate" for Madden, setting up several pop-up tents, a port-a-potty and even a TV so they could watch Super Bowl LVI on Sunday.
"We want to go out with a bang to honor his legacy," Jones said, hoping Monday night's public memorial would be "heartfelt" and allow attendees to "just enjoy everything about John Madden."
Madden, 85, died on Dec. 28, 2021 in Pleasanton, which he called home for years after his decade roaming the Raiders' sideline at the Coliseum. Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006, remains the winningest coach in Raiders history and has the highest winning percentage of any NFL coach who coached at least 100 games.
Madden's public memorial will begin at 5:30 p.m. at the Coliseum, with tickets still available. All proceeds will benefit the John Madden Foundation, which provides educational opportunities for Oakland children. Eight speakers will honor the TV and video game pioneer, including former San Francisco 49ers coach Steve Mariucci and retired KCBS Radio news anchor Stan Bunger.
Jones called Madden an "East Bay icon," joining a long list of figures and groups, including the original Black Panther Party, who helped create a regional “mystique.”
"His influence upon us in our lives, and how we go about grinding and approaching stuff, is just impactful,” Jones said. "That can never be replaced."
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