When you hear the name John Madden, you might think of football. But more importantly, when you hear the word "football," you might immediately think of John Madden.
Perhaps no other name is more synonymous with the sport of football than Madden, be it for his coaching brilliance, his unmatched broadcasting legacy, or his revolutionary role in the sports video game industry — or any of the multitude of other contributions he made.
And so, with his unfortunate and unexpected passing at age 85 on Tuesday, social media was full of tributes, memories and anecdotes about the man that transcended football and showed just how far his impact reached.
Voice of the Eagles Merrill Reese remembered Madden as "tremendously warm" and a great storyteller.
"He was an excellent coach with the Oakland Raiders. But he made a bigger impact with the sporting community, of course, with his great ability to communicate," Reese said.
"He was a real character. But he was also very good at teaching the game. ... He could take something very technical, and make it seem very, very understandable."
Several of the NFL's brightest stars of past and present joined a chorus of fellow athletes who, regardless of their sport, were affected by Madden's greatness over the years.
The sports media landscape, including prominent TV figures, also shared their thoughts on the sad news and memories of Madden's life.
RIP John Madden. One of the most influential figures in sports history, and the man who put @FOXSports on the map in 1994! @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/GJzHQM8tPn
— Kenny Albert (@KennyAlbert) December 29, 2021
And finally, some words from coaches and front office figures in the NFL who were undoubtedly inspired by the legendary icon.
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