The NFL has confirmed that legendary coach and broadcaster John Madden has died at the age of 85. There is no word yet on the cause of death.
Madden, who was born in Austin, Minnesota before moving to California. Madden famously guided the Oakland Raiders to a Super Bowl victory over the Vikings in 1976, was one of the most famous faces and voices in the history of the NFL. He did more for the sport after he retired from coaching in the broadcasting booth.
Madden became a sensation, not just the best broadcaster in football but one of the most popular sports names in America. His down-to-Earth way of communicating what was happening on the field, with his "booms" and excitement over football was infectious.
His name, face and voice also helped launch a video game empire, with the Madden Franchise for EA Sports. It still is one of the most popular video games in America.
"Nobody loved football more than Coach," NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement Tuesday evening. "He was football. He was an incredible sounding board to me and so many others. There will never be another John Madden, and we will forever be indebted to him for all he did to make football and the NFL what it is today."
John Madden began his pro football coaching career in 1967 as the Oakland Raiders' linebackers coach. After two seasons, he was elevated to head coach. At 32 years of age when he was hired, he became the youngest head coach in the American Football League.
Madden only coached the Raiders for 10 seasons, but his success in those 10 years was almost unmatched never experiencing a losing season at the helm of the Raiders. Madden's .759 regular season winning percentage ranks as highest among coaches with 100 career victories. Only Hall of Fame coaches George Halas and Curly Lambeau had reached 100 career wins at an earlier age.
From there, Madden went into the broadcast booth joining CBS Sports in 1979. After working lower-profile contests during his first years, he was elevated to the network's top football broadcasting duo with Pat Summerall in 1981.
The teaming of former player Summerall and the head coach in Madden lead to one of the sport’s most famous broadcast teams. They worked together for until 2001, moving to FOX Sports in 1994.
Madden then went on to Monday Night Football and Al Michaels until he retired after the 2008 season.
Madden did stay active in media, working in San Francisco on KCBS before fully retiring in 2015 after heart surgery and other health concerns.
The passing of Madden comes just three days following a special documentary on his life and career by FOX Sports on Christmas Day.
In the final years of his life, Madden had an important role in the NFL, advising the league and advocating for rule changes that would protect players from brain injuries.
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