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John Madden, Hall of Fame NFL Coach and legendary broadcaster, has passed away at 85.
NFL.com reports that Madden, who was unexpectedly killed on Tuesday, December 28th, died without explanation.
Photo credit: David Dermer/Diamond Images/Getty Images
Roger Goodell, the NFL Commissioner, released a statement saying that “On behalf of all NFL families, we extend our condolences Virginia, Mike, Joe, and their families.” We all know him as the Hall of Fame coach of Oakland Raiders, and a broadcaster who worked at every major network. But, more than anything, he was a loving husband, father, and grandfather.
“Coach was the most passionate football fan.” He was football. He was an extraordinary sounding board for me, and so many others. John Madden will be the last, and we will always be grateful to him for everything he did to make football and NFL what they are today.
John Madden was a football star who was born in Austin on April 10, 1936. In 1958, he was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 21st round. However, he hurt his knee in training camp and didn’t get the chance to play in the NFL.
He was unable to fulfill his dream of playing for the NFL, but he found a passion for coaching. He started his coaching career at Allan Hancock College in 1960 as an assistant coach. In 1962, he became the head coach. After moving on to San Diego State, he was hired by Al Davis in 1967 as the Oakland Raiders’ linebackers coach.
At 32, Madden was promoted to head coaching the Raiders. Madden’s record as Oakland Raiders head coach was 103-32-7 during the regular season, and 9-7 in playoffs. Madden would win his first and sole Super Bowl in 1977. He retired as a coach two years later, in 1979. Madden was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame on June 6, 2006.
Although he had a long, successful career in broadcasting, which would win him 16 Emmy Awards. His other greatest claim to fame was that he lent his name to EA’s Madden NFL Football series.
EA wanted to create an original football game in 1986. Its then-president Trip Hawkins, Robin Atonick and other staff members presented the idea to John Madden while he was traveling to a broadcast. They quickly discovered Madden was not one who would give his name freely.
Madden stated, “If it’s not 11 on 11, it’s not real football.” EA tried to limit the number of players per side due to limitations in technology. Madden didn’t care. Madden replied back then that “I don’t want to put my name on this if it isn’t real.”
Madden would collaborate with the team to create a true NFL experience for gamers all over the globe, from the playbooks to the way the game feels to play. The first John Madden Football game was released on the Apple II in 1988. It would go on to become one of most lucrative and profitable gaming franchises.
Madden NFL Football, the only licensed NFL videogame series, is now available as of 2021. It has sold more than $4 billion since 2013. The series has sold over 250,000,000 copies since its debut game and there are no signs of slowing down.
John Madden is survived his wife Virginia and his sons Joseph (and Michael)
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Adam Bankhurst is a journalist for IGN. You can follow Adam Bankhurst on twitter @AdamBankhurstAnd more Twitch.
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