When you think of the Raiders, you think of John Madden and Al Davis.
Madden passed away at the age of 85 Tuesday and there has been an outpouring of tributes, as the football icon touched millions of lives throughout his journey as coach, broadcaster and video game franchise pioneer.
Former Raiders CEO Amy Trask joined 95.7 The Game’s “The Morning Roast” Wednesday with Steven Langford, Lorenzo Neal and Whitey Gleason to share her impressions of Madden’s legacy on football, including his relationship with Davis, the Raiders’ late founder. You can listen to the full interview above.
“They had a tremendous, tremendous respect for one another,” Trask said. “And what I would describe – again, my words – a love for one another. Those men cared deeply for one another in my view and that is what led to the relationship lasting for the years it did.
Raiders all-time great George Atkinson also joined “The Morning Roast” to share his recollections of Madden as a coach. Atkinson was a star safety for Madden on the team that won Super Bowl XI in 1977 at the Rose Bowl.
Atkinson said Madden picked him up from the airport once he was drafted in 1968. According to Atkinson, Madden had three simple rules.
“Dress like a professional, don’t hang out in the bars in the hotels that we stay at, and play like hell on Sundays,” Atkinson said. “Those were his rules. If you couldn’t follow those rules, you might as well get out of the league.”
You can listen to the full interview above.
Madden’s 75.9 career win percentage in 10 years with the Raiders is the highest for any coach with more than 100 games coached.
“He was understanding,” Atkinson said. “He was a little different than the other coaches that you heard about from other players. That’s why guys wanted to come play for him. Word got out – this guy you could play for. He’s considerate, he’s understanding, and he’s, most of all, knowledgeable about the game of football. And he’d treat you like a football player and a man.”
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