John Madden

{{Short description|American football coach and announcer (1936–2021)}}

{{Infobox NFL biography

| image = John Madden (Higher Quality).jpg

| alt = John Madden smiling, wearing a suit

| caption = Madden in 2007

| number = 77

| position = Offensive tackle

| birth_date={{birth date|1936|4|10}}

| birth_place = Austin, Minnesota, U.S.

| death_date= {{death date and age|2021|12|28|1936|4|10}}

| death_place= Pleasanton, California, U.S.

| high_school = Jefferson (Daly City, California)

| college = Oregon (1953–1954)
San Mateo (1954–1955)
Grays Harbor (1956)
Cal Poly (1957–1958)

| draftyear = 1958

| draftround = 21

| draftpick = 244

| pastteams=

Philadelphia Eagles ({{NFL Year|1959}})*

| pastcoaching =

Hancock (1960–1961)
Offensive line coach
Hancock (1962–1963)
Head coach
San Diego State (1964–1966)
Defensive coordinator
Oakland Raiders (1967–1968)
Linebackers coach
Oakland Raiders (1969–{{NFL Year|1978}})
Head coach

| highlights =

| regular_record = {{Winning percentage|103|32|7|record=y}}

| playoff_record = {{Winning percentage|9|7|record=y}}

| overall_record = NFL: {{Winning percentage|112|39|7|record=y}}
College: {{Winning percentage|12|6|record=y}}

| pfrcoach = MaddJo0

| HOF = john-madden

}}

John Earl Madden (April 10, 1939 – December 28, 2021) was an American professional football coach and sports commentator in the National Football League (NFL). He served as the head coach of the Oakland Raiders from 1969 to 1978, leading them to eight playoff appearances, seven division titles, seven AFL/AFC Championship Game appearances, and the franchise's first Super Bowl title in Super Bowl XI. Never having a losing season, Madden holds the highest winning percentage among NFL head coaches who coached at least 100 games. As of the end of the 2024 season, Madden has the most wins as head coach in Raiders history with 103 wins. Madden is considered by many as one of the greatest coaches of all time.

After retiring from coaching, Madden was a color commentator for NFL telecasts from 1979 to 2009 and won 16 Sports Emmy Awards. Madden appeared on all four major American television networks, providing commentary for games broadcast by CBS, Fox, ABC, and NBC. He also lent his name, expertise, and commentary to the Madden NFL video game series, which became the best-selling American football video game franchise. Madden was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006.

Early life

John Earl Madden was born in Austin, Minnesota, on April 10, 1936, the son of Earl Russell Madden (1905–1961) and Mary (née Flaherty) Madden (1917–2011).{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Y9-KTQvdDyQC&dq=%22Earl+Russell+Madden%22&pg=PT26 |title=Madden: A Biography |via=Google Books |year=2011 |isbn=9781617495465 |access-date=December 29, 2021 |last1=Burwell |first1=Bryan |publisher=Triumph Books |archive-date=June 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220613160349/https://books.google.com/books?id=Y9-KTQvdDyQC&dq=%22Earl+Russell+Madden%22&pg=PT26 |url-status=live }} His father, an auto mechanic, moved the Madden family to Daly City, California, located south of San Francisco, when John was young.{{cite web|url=http://www.raidersonline.org/john-madden.php|title=John Madden|publisher=raidersonline.org|date=February 4, 2006|access-date=October 12, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120913072954/http://www.raidersonline.org/john-madden.php|archive-date=September 13, 2012}} John attended Catholic parochial school with John Robinson{{cite magazine|url=https://www.si.com/vault/1987/10/26/116453/double-dip-for-daly-city-like-boyhood-pal-john-madden-the-rams-john-robinson-has-made-it-big-in-the-nfl|title=Double Dip for Daly City|magazine=Sports Illustrated|access-date=September 18, 2018|archive-date=September 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180918123601/https://www.si.com/vault/1987/10/26/116453/double-dip-for-daly-city-like-boyhood-pal-john-madden-the-rams-john-robinson-has-made-it-big-in-the-nfl|url-status=live}} at Our Lady of Perpetual Help,{{cite web|url=https://www.olphdc.org/about_history.shtml|title=History|website=Our Lady of Perpetual Help School|access-date=September 18, 2018|archive-date=December 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211230211456/https://www.olphdc.org/about_history.shtml|url-status=live}} graduating in 1950,{{Cite web|url=https://www.olphdc.org/files/December_2004.pdf|title=Perpetual Light, Our Lady of Perpetual Help School, December 2004|access-date=September 18, 2018|archive-date=September 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180918090956/https://www.olphdc.org/files/December_2004.pdf|url-status=live}} and then Jefferson High School, graduating in 1954.{{cite magazine |last1=Jares |first1=Joe |title=The Trojans Win an Old War |url=https://www.si.com/vault/1977/01/10/617778/the-trojans-win-an-old-war |magazine=Sports Illustrated |access-date=August 21, 2018 |date=January 10, 1977 |archive-date=July 10, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180710011150/https://www.si.com/vault/1977/01/10/617778/the-trojans-win-an-old-war |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Bay Area stars on CIF's fall All-Century team |url=http://www.sfexaminer.com/bay-area-stars-on-cifs-fall-all-century-team/ |website=The San Francisco Examiner |access-date=August 21, 2018 |date=November 12, 2014 |archive-date=August 22, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180822014951/http://www.sfexaminer.com/bay-area-stars-on-cifs-fall-all-century-team/ |url-status=live }}{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Y9-KTQvdDyQC&q=Jefferson&pg=PT40|title=Madden: A Biography{{!}}College football|first=Bryan|last=Burwell|year=2011|publisher=Triumph Books|isbn=9781617495465|access-date=September 18, 2018|via=Google Books|archive-date=December 31, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211231001646/https://books.google.com/books?id=Y9-KTQvdDyQC&q=Jefferson&pg=PT40|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/nfl-thanksgiving-madden-story.html|title=John Madden celebrates Thanksgiving with his own set of traditions|first=John|last=Madden|website=Chicago Tribune|date=November 20, 2001 |access-date=September 18, 2018|archive-date=September 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180918090950/http://www.chicagotribune.com/nfl-thanksgiving-madden-story.html|url-status=live}}

Playing career

A football star in high school, Madden played one season at the College of San Mateo,{{cite web|url=https://www.barnesandnoble.com/readouts/madden-a-biography/|title=Madden: A Biography{{!}}College football|date=January 27, 2018|website=barnesandnoble.com|access-date=September 18, 2018|archive-date=September 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180918091143/https://www.barnesandnoble.com/readouts/madden-a-biography/|url-status=live}} in 1954,{{cite web|url=https://www.smdailyjournal.com/sports/csm-inducts-bulldogs-into-hall-of-fame/article_9fc0fbb6-d2d9-5155-b303-e46b0823cdd5.html|title=CSM inducts 15 Bulldogs into Hall of Fame|website=smdailyjournal.com|date=September 23, 2011 |access-date=September 18, 2018|archive-date=August 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200802163703/https://www.smdailyjournal.com/sports/csm-inducts-bulldogs-into-hall-of-fame/article_9fc0fbb6-d2d9-5155-b303-e46b0823cdd5.html|url-status=live}} before he was given a football scholarship to the University of Oregon,{{cite news|url= http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1891836,00.html?xid=rss-arts |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20111222182600/http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1891836,00.html?xid=rss-arts |url-status= dead |archive-date= December 22, 2011 |title= 2 Min Bio: John Madden |access-date=April 18, 2009 |last=Harrell |first=Eben |date=April 17, 2009 |magazine=Time |quote=Recruited to play football at the University of Oregon, he transferred out after his first year and eventually ended up at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo. Drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in 1958, Madden suffered a career-ending knee injury during training camp.}}{{cite web|url=https://www.encyclopedia.com/people/sports-and-games/sports-biographies/john-madden|title=John Madden|website=encyclopedia.com|access-date=September 18, 2018|archive-date=September 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180918091033/https://www.encyclopedia.com/people/sports-and-games/sports-biographies/john-madden|url-status=live}} studying pre-law, and playing football with childhood friend John Robinson.{{cite web|url=https://www.daily-journal.com/business/main-street-what-we-can-learn-from-john-madden/article_24b7ea09-4a5b-5064-83c3-b4e4d8a54a1d.html|title=Main Street: What we can learn from John Madden|website=daily-journal.com|date=October 4, 2017 |access-date=September 18, 2018|archive-date=June 13, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220613160346/https://www.daily-journal.com/business/main-street-what-we-can-learn-from-john-madden/article_24b7ea09-4a5b-5064-83c3-b4e4d8a54a1d.html|url-status=live}} He was redshirted because of a knee injury and had a knee operation.

In 1955, he attended the College of San Mateo,{{cite web |url=http://collegeofsanmateo.edu/halloffame/docs/2011HallofFameProgram.pdf |title=CSM Athletics Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony 2011 |date= |access-date=December 29, 2021 |archive-date=December 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211230211439/https://collegeofsanmateo.edu/halloffame/docs/2011HallofFameProgram.pdf |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=https://www.ebay.com/itm/172089241664|title=John Madden 1955 College of San Mateo Yearbook|location=San Mateo, California|website=eBay|access-date=September 18, 2018|archive-date=September 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180918091034/https://www.ebay.com/itm/172089241664|url-status=live}} then Grays Harbor College, playing in the fall of 1956,{{cite web|url=https://www.ghc.edu/sites/default/files/pictures/Nautilus/1957.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170304120345/https://www.ghc.edu/sites/default/files/pictures/Nautilus/1957.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 4, 2017|title=Nautilus 1957 (Yearbook)|date=March 4, 2017|website=Grays Harbor College|via=archive.org|access-date=September 18, 2018}} before transferring to Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, where he played both offense and defense for the Mustangs in 1957{{cite news|url=http://www.pressdemocrat.com/news/2272967-181/timeline-of-john-maddens-life|title=Timeline of John Madden's life and career|date=April 17, 2009|newspaper=Santa Rosa Press Democrat|first=Phil|last=Barber|access-date=December 28, 2018|archive-date=December 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181228223257/https://www.pressdemocrat.com/news/2272967-181/timeline-of-john-maddens-life|url-status=live}} and 1958 while earning a Bachelor of Science in education in 1959 and then a Master of Arts in education in 1961.{{Cite book |last1=Madden |first1=John |title=Hey, Wait a Minute, I wrote a book! |last2=Anderson |first2=Dave |publisher=Villard Books |year=1985 |isbn=0394531094 |location=New York |pages=55}} Madden's senior research project at Cal Poly focused on the use of weights to increase strides and speed in athletic training.{{Cite news |last=Sanchez |first=Omar |date=May 14, 2009 |title=Boom! Madden's greatness developed after his Cal Poly senior project |work=New Times SLO |url=https://www.newtimesslo.com/sanluisobispo/boom/Content?oid=2939616 |access-date=September 23, 2022}}

He won first-team{{Cite news |date=December 16, 1957 |title=Cal Poly Gridders Voted Three All-CCAA Berths |pages=10 |work=San Luis Obispo Telegram-Tribune}} all-conference honors{{cite web|url=http://mustangnews.net/cal-poly-alumnus-and-legend-calls-it-quits/|title=Cal Poly alumnus and legend calls it quits|date=April 22, 2009|website=mustangnews.net|access-date=September 18, 2018|archive-date=September 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180918092640/http://mustangnews.net/cal-poly-alumnus-and-legend-calls-it-quits/|url-status=live}} at offensive tackle in his debut season at Cal Poly, and was a catcher on the Mustangs baseball team. Known amongst his teammates for his impressive downfield speed for a lineman,{{Cite news |last=Aird |first=Donovan |date=July 3, 2009 |title=For Madden, it All Started at Poly |pages=S1 |work=The Tribune (San Luis Obispo, CA)}} Madden also was selected by United Press International for Little All-Coast Second Team accolades following his junior season of 1957.{{Cite news |date=December 2, 1957 |title=Hughesmen Also Draw Two Spots on Second Team |pages=11 |work=San Luis Obispo Telegram-Tribune}} During the 1957 season, Madden caught a pass from future fellow Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee, then-teammate and Cal Poly quarterback, Bobby Beathard.{{Cite news |date=November 11, 1957 |title=Gyrenes Overtake Hughesmen in Second Half, 27-14 |pages=10 |work=San Luis Obispo Telegram-Tribune}}

Madden was drafted in the 21st round (244th overall) by the NFL's Philadelphia Eagles in 1958, months before beginning his senior season at Cal Poly. His senior year, which again saw Madden regularly start on the left side of the offensive line,{{Cite news |date=October 17, 1958 |title=Regulars Start Bulldog Tilt At Fresno |pages=2 |work=El Mustang |url=https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1858&context=studentnewspaper |access-date=September 30, 2022}} was cut short due to a season-ending collarbone injury, suffered while making a tackle against Long Beach State in October 1958, with four games remaining on the schedule.{{Cite news |date=October 28, 1958 |title=Madden Lost to Mustangs: Big Poly Tackle Out for Season Due to Injury |pages=6 |work=San Luis Obispo Telegram-Tribune}}

On January 3, 1959, Madden played in the All-American Bowl in Tucson, Arizona,{{Cite news |date=January 9, 1959 |title=Beathard, Madden Honored; Pros Eye Big Tackle |pages=3 |work=El Mustang |url=https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1866&context=studentnewspaper |access-date=September 23, 2022}} and was later praised by Lou Pavlovich of The Sporting News for his play in the showcase.{{Cite news |date=January 20, 1959 |title=Madden Praised for Play in Arizona Grid Bowl |pages=2 |work=El Mustang |url=https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1869&context=studentnewspaper |access-date=September 23, 2022}} In August 1959, he suffered an injury on his other knee{{Cite news |date=August 14, 1959 |title=Madden Out Eight Weeks: Hurt in Eagle Scrimmage |pages=1 |work=El Mustang |url=https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1896&context=studentnewspaper |access-date=September 23, 2022}} in his first training camp, during an Eagles scrimmage,{{cite magazine|url=https://www.si.com/vault/1983/09/01/644096/hey-wait-a-minute-i-want-to-talk|title=Hey, Wait A Minute! I Want To Talk|magazine=Sports Illustrated|access-date=September 18, 2018|archive-date=September 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180918091048/https://www.si.com/vault/1983/09/01/644096/hey-wait-a-minute-i-want-to-talk|url-status=live}} ending his playing career without having had an opportunity to play in a regulation game professionally.

Coaching career

=College=

Madden recounted how he became involved with coaching:

"I got hurt in my rookie year with the Philadelphia Eagles — a knee injury — and I couldn't play. While I was rehabbing, Norm Van Brocklin would be watching films and would explain what was happening. I ended up with a degree in teaching and my love for football meshed with teaching."{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=5374773|title=Madden: HOF missing something without Coryell|date=July 12, 2010|website=ESPN|access-date=December 29, 2021|archive-date=December 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211229162749/https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=5374773|url-status=live}}

In 1960, he became an assistant coach at Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria, California. He was promoted to head coach in 1962. Madden went 12–6 in two seasons, including an 8–1 mark in 1963,{{cite web|title=From the Vault: John Madden didn't just coach at Hancock College, he found a home on the Central Coast|date=July 30, 2020 |url=https://santamariatimes.com/sports/college/from-the-vault-john-madden-didnt-just-coach-at-hancock-college-he-found-a-home/article_24c18bf9-fc51-593a-bff9-e9e0f0513983.html#anchor_item_14|publisher=Pro Football Hall of Fame|access-date=March 6, 2022|archive-date=March 6, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220306234104/https://santamariatimes.com/sports/college/from-the-vault-john-madden-didnt-just-coach-at-hancock-college-he-found-a-home/article_24c18bf9-fc51-593a-bff9-e9e0f0513983.html#anchor_item_14|url-status=live}} during which his Bulldogs were ranked No. 9 nationally among city colleges.{{Cite news |date=May 6, 1969 |title=Madden to speak before Poly boosters |pages=6 |work=San Luis Obispo Telegram-Tribune}} Following the 1963 season, he was hired as a defensive assistant coach at San Diego State, where he served to 1966. During that final campaign, the 1966 Aztecs were ranked among the top small colleges in the country.{{cite web|title=John Maddenʼs biography|url=http://www.profootballhof.com/players/john-madden/biography|publisher=Pro Football Hall of Fame|access-date=February 11, 2017|archive-date=February 12, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170212092246/http://www.profootballhof.com/players/john-madden/biography/|url-status=live}} While at San Diego State, Madden coached under Don Coryell, whom Madden credited as being an influence on his coaching.

=Professional=

Building on that success, Madden was hired by Al Davis as linebackers coach for the AFL's Oakland Raiders in 1967,{{cite web |author=James Van Etten |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/885083-al-davis-raiders-owner-turned-john-madden-into-a-super-star |title=Al Davis: Raiders Owner Turned John Madden into a Super Star | Bleacher Report | Latest News, Videos and Highlights |publisher=Bleacher Report |date=October 9, 2011 |access-date=December 29, 2021 |archive-date=December 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211229163150/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/885083-al-davis-raiders-owner-turned-john-madden-into-a-super-star |url-status=live }} putting him in the Sid Gillman coaching tree.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/page/coachingtreegillman130524/greatest-nfl-coaches-sid-gillman-coaching-tree|title=Coaching tree, legacy of Sid Gillman|date=May 24, 2013|website=ESPN|access-date=December 29, 2021|archive-date=December 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211229163146/https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/page/coachingtreegillman130524/greatest-nfl-coaches-sid-gillman-coaching-tree|url-status=live}} He helped the team reach Super Bowl II that season. A year later, after Raiders head coach John Rauch resigned to take the same position with the Buffalo Bills,{{cite web |author=Mike Barnes |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/john-madden-dead-raiders-coach-nfl-broadcaster-1235067990/ |title=John Madden Dead: NFL Broadcaster, Oakland Raiders Coach Was 85 |publisher=The Hollywood Reporter |date=December 29, 2021 |access-date=December 29, 2021 |archive-date=December 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211229004033/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/john-madden-dead-raiders-coach-nfl-broadcaster-1235067990/ |url-status=live }} Madden was named the Raiders' head coach on February 4, 1969, becoming, at the age of 32, the AFL/NFL's youngest head coach to that time.{{cite web |url=https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/national-international/hall-of-fame-coach-and-beloved-broadcaster-john-madden-has-died-at-age-85/2716869/ |title=Hall of Fame Coach and Beloved Broadcaster John Madden Has Died at Age 85 |date=December 29, 2021 |publisher=NBC Chicago |access-date=December 29, 2021 |archive-date=December 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211229005906/https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/national-international/hall-of-fame-coach-and-beloved-broadcaster-john-madden-has-died-at-age-85/2716869/ |url-status=live }}

Madden's first Raiders squad went 12–1–1 in 1969 but lost 17–7 to the Kansas City Chiefs in the last-ever American Football League Championship Game.{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/rai/1969.htm|title=1969 Oakland Raiders Statistics & Players|website=Pro Football Reference|access-date=December 29, 2021|archive-date=December 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211229052911/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/rai/1969.htm|url-status=live}} This would become a frustrating trend during Madden's coaching career. Oakland won seven AFC West division championships and always played to a winning record during his ten seasons as head coach, but they also lost in six AFL/AFC Championship Games.{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/rai/|title=Las Vegas/Oakland/LA Raiders Franchise Encyclopedia|website=Pro Football Reference|access-date=December 29, 2021|archive-date=July 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170707115845/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/rai/|url-status=live}}

One of the most frustrating playoff defeats came in 1972, when what appeared to be a last-minute AFC divisional round victory over the Steelers instead became a part of football lore, when Franco Harris' "Immaculate Reception" gave Pittsburgh a 13–7 win.{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/rai/1972.htm|title=1972 Oakland Raiders Statistics & Players|website=Pro Football Reference|access-date=December 29, 2021|archive-date=December 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211229052930/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/rai/1972.htm|url-status=live}} In 1974, after knocking the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Miami Dolphins out of the playoffs in dramatic fashion, the Raiders again lost to the Steelers in the AFC Championship game.{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/rai/1974.htm|title=1974 Oakland Raiders Statistics & Players|website=Pro Football Reference|access-date=December 29, 2021|archive-date=December 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211229052913/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/rai/1974.htm|url-status=live}} The Steelers again ended the Raiders' season one game short of the Super Bowl in the 1975 AFC Championship game.{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/rai/1975.htm|title=1975 Oakland Raiders Statistics & Players|website=Pro Football Reference|access-date=December 29, 2021|archive-date=December 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211229052915/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/rai/1975.htm|url-status=live}}

In 1976, the Raiders went 13–1 in the regular season and escaped the first round of the playoffs with a dramatic and controversial 24–21 victory over the New England Patriots. In their third straight battle with the Steelers in the AFC Championship game, Madden's Raiders finally defeated their nemesis 24–7 to reach Super Bowl XI. On January 9, 1977, Madden won his first and only NFL title with a 32–14 win over the Minnesota Vikings.{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/rai/1976.htm|title=1976 Oakland Raiders Statistics & Players|website=Pro Football Reference|access-date=December 29, 2021|archive-date=December 22, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081222015402/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/rai/1976.htm|url-status=live}}

The Raiders made the playoffs in 1977 as a Wild Card team, but again lost the AFC Championship Game, this time to the Denver Broncos.{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/rai/1977.htm|title=1977 Oakland Raiders Statistics & Players|website=Pro Football Reference|access-date=December 29, 2021|archive-date=December 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211229052916/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/rai/1977.htm|url-status=live}} The Raiders enjoyed their tenth straight winning campaign under Madden in 1978 but failed to qualify for the playoffs for just the second time in his tenure.{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/rai/1978.htm|title=1978 Oakland Raiders Statistics & Players|website=Pro Football Reference|access-date=December 29, 2021|archive-date=December 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211229052932/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/rai/1978.htm|url-status=live}} Soon after their season ended, Madden announced his retirement on January 4, 1979, due to a troublesome ulcer and occupational burnout, stating that he was permanently ending his coaching career.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1979/01/05/archives/madden-citing-health-resigns-as-coach-of-raiders-best-step-to-take.html |title=Madden, Citing Health, Resigns as Coach of Raiders |work=The New York Times |date=January 5, 1979 |access-date=November 21, 2019 |archive-date=August 20, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200820212755/https://www.nytimes.com/1979/01/05/archives/madden-citing-health-resigns-as-coach-of-raiders-best-step-to-take.html |url-status=live }}

Among Madden's accomplishments as a head coach were winning a Super Bowl, and becoming the youngest coach to reach 100 career regular-season victories, a record he compiled in only ten full seasons of coaching at the age of 42.{{cite web |url=https://www.foxnews.com/sports/john-madden-death-nfl-world-reaction.amp |title=John Madden's unexpected death shakes up NFL world |work=Fox News |access-date=December 29, 2021 |archive-date=December 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211229013126/https://www.foxnews.com/sports/john-madden-death-nfl-world-reaction.amp |url-status=live }} Madden is still the coach with the most wins in Raiders history.{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/rai/coaches.htm|title=Las Vegas/LA/Oakland Raiders Coaches|website=Pro Football Reference|access-date=December 29, 2021|archive-date=December 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211229043907/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/rai/coaches.htm|url-status=live}}

Madden never had a losing season as a head coach. His overall winning percentage, including playoff games, ranks second in league history behind Guy Chamberlin and is the highest among those who coached 100 games.{{cite web |url=https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/sports/nbcsports/which-nfl-coaches-have-the-highest-winning-percentage-ever/2717262/ |title=Which NFL Coaches Have the Highest Winning Percentage Ever? |first=Max |last=Molski |date=December 29, 2021 |work=WMAQ-TV |access-date=December 30, 2021 |archive-date=December 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211230013147/https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/sports/nbcsports/which-nfl-coaches-have-the-highest-winning-percentage-ever/2717262/ |url-status=live }} Madden achieved his record while competing against coaching legends such as Tom Landry, Don Shula, Chuck Noll, and Bud Grant.{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=pasquarelli_len&id=2319004 |title=Young fans introduced to NFL through Madden games |work=ESPN |date=February 4, 2006 |access-date=October 12, 2011 |archive-date=May 6, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120506000811/http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=pasquarelli_len&id=2319004 |url-status=live }}

Head coaching record

=Junior college=

{{CFB Yearly Record Start | type = coach | team = | conf = | bowl = | poll = no }}

{{CFB Yearly Record Subhead

| name = Hancock Bulldogs

| conf = Central California Junior College Association

| startyear = 1962

| endyear = 1963

}}

{{CFB Yearly Record Entry

| championship =

| year = 1962

| name = Hancock

| overall = 4–5

| conference = 2–2

| confstanding = 3rd

| bowlname =

| bowloutcome =

| bcsbowl =

| ranking = no

| ranking2 = no

}}

{{CFB Yearly Record Entry

| championship = conference

| year = 1963

| name = Hancock

| overall = 8–1

| conference = 4–0

| confstanding = 1st

| bowlname =

| bowloutcome =

| bcsbowl =

| ranking = no

| ranking2 = no

}}

{{CFB Yearly Record Subtotal

| name = Hancock

| overall = 12–6

| confrecord = 6–2

}}

{{CFB Yearly Record End

| overall = 12–6

| bowls = no

| poll = no

| polltype =

}}

{{cite web |author= |title=Hancock Football Record Book |url=https://d2o2figo6ddd0g.cloudfront.net/9/8/uvvc1vfdzpgvoy/FB_Media_Guide_23_final.pdf |publisher=Allan Hancock College Athletics |page=21 |access-date=May 14, 2024 }}

=NFL=

rowspan="2"\| Team	rowspan="2" \| Year	colspan="5" \| Regular season	colspan="4" \| Postseason
class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%; text-align: center;"
Won	Lost	Ties	Win %	Finish	Won	Lost	Win %	Result
style="background:#fdd;" !OAK	1969	12	1	1	.893	1st in AFL Western	1	1	.500	Lost to Kansas City Chiefs in AFL Championship Game
style="background:#fdd;" !OAK	1970	8	4	2	.643	1st in AFC West	1	1	.500	Lost to Baltimore Colts in AFC Championship Game
OAK\|\|1971 \|\|8\|\|4\|\|2\|\|.643\|\|2nd in AFC West\|\| – \|\| – \|\| – \|\| –
style="background:#fdd;" !OAK	1972	10	3	1	.750	1st in AFC West	0	1	.000	Lost to Pittsburgh Steelers in Divisional Round
style="background:#fdd;" !OAK	1973	9	4	1	.679	1st in AFC West	1	1	.500	Lost to Miami Dolphins in AFC Championship Game
style="background:#fdd;" !OAK	1974	12	2	0	.857	1st in AFC West	1	1	.500	Lost to Pittsburgh Steelers in AFC Championship Game
style="background:#fdd;" !OAK	1975	11	3	0	.786	1st in AFC West	1	1	.500	Lost to Pittsburgh Steelers in AFC Championship Game
style="background:#FDE910;" !OAK	1976	13	1	0	.929	1st in AFC West	3	0	1.000	Super Bowl XI champions
style="background:#fdd;" !OAK	1977	11	3	0	.786	2nd in AFC West	1	1	.500	Lost to Denver Broncos in AFC Championship Game
OAK\|\|1978 \|\|9\|\|7\|\|0\|\|.563\|\|2nd in AFC West\|\| – \|\| – \|\| – \|\| –
colspan="2"\|Total\|\|103\|\|32\|\|7\|\|.750\|\|\|\|9\|\|7\|\|.563\|\|

:Source:{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/coaches/MaddJo0.htm|title=John Madden Record, Statistics, and Category Ranks|website=Pro Football Reference|access-date=December 29, 2021|archive-date=May 15, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080515110355/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/coaches/MaddJo0.htm|url-status=live}}

Sportscasting career

=Television=

==CBS Sports (1979–1993)==

Madden joined CBS as a color commentator in 1979. After working lower-profile contests during his first years, he was elevated to CBS's top football broadcasting duo with Pat Summerall in 1981, replacing Tom Brookshier. Prior to teaming with Summerall on CBS, Madden was paired with a variety of announcers, such as Bob Costas, Vin Scully, Dick Stockton, Frank Glieber, and Gary Bender.{{cite web |url=https://scholar.lib.vt.edu/VA-news/ROA-Times/issues/1994/rt9401/940122/01220163.htm |title=Summerall, Madden Leaving Cbs Booth For Fox Together |publisher=Scholar.lib.vt.edu |date=January 22, 1994 |access-date=December 29, 2021 |archive-date=March 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190321152818/https://scholar.lib.vt.edu/VA-news/ROA-Times/issues/1994/rt9401/940122/01220163.htm |url-status=live }} The team of Madden and Summerall would go on to call eight Super Bowls together.{{cite web |url=https://ftw.usatoday.com/2016/01/ranking-super-bowl-announcers-best-worst-ever-i-50-nbc-fox-abc-cbs-phill-simms-jim-nantz-john-madden-pat-summerall-who-announced-every-super-bowl |title=Ranking the best and worst Super Bowl announcers, from John Madden to Phil Simms | For The Win |publisher=Ftw.usatoday.com |date=January 26, 2016 |access-date=December 29, 2021 |archive-date=December 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211229010200/https://ftw.usatoday.com/2016/01/ranking-super-bowl-announcers-best-worst-ever-i-50-nbc-fox-abc-cbs-phill-simms-jim-nantz-john-madden-pat-summerall-who-announced-every-super-bowl |url-status=live }}

On occasions in which Summerall was unavailable (during the CBS years, Summerall was normally scheduled to commentate on the U.S. Open tennis tournament during the early weeks of the NFL season), Madden would team with the likes of Vin Scully{{cite web|url=http://awfulannouncing.com/2016/did-you-know-vin-scully-almost-became-john-maddens-partner-at-cbs.html|title=Did you know Vin Scully almost became John Madden's partner at CBS?|last1=Fang|first1=Ken|date=May 24, 2016|website=Awful Announcing|access-date=May 24, 2016|archive-date=May 25, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160525115533/http://awfulannouncing.com/2016/did-you-know-vin-scully-almost-became-john-maddens-partner-at-cbs.html|url-status=live}} and subsequently, Verne Lundquist. On their final CBS telecast together, the 1993 NFC Championship Game on January 23, 1994, Madden told Summerall that while CBS may no longer have the NFL,CBS regained NFL rights in 1998 by outbidding NBC for the rights to AFC telecasts. at least they have the memories. On ABC's final Monday Night Football telecast in 2005, Madden used a similar choice of words.{{cite web |url=https://products.kitsapsun.com/archive/2005/12-27/86092_tv_sports_abc_turns_out_the_ligh.html |title=TV Sports ABC Turns Out the Lights for 'MNF' |publisher=Products.kitsapsun.com |access-date=December 29, 2021 |archive-date=December 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211229040332/https://products.kitsapsun.com/archive/2005/12-27/86092_tv_sports_abc_turns_out_the_ligh.html |url-status=live }}

==Fox Sports (1994–2001)==

In 1994, when Fox gained the rights to NFC games, leaving CBS without an NFL television deal, CBS employees became free agents. Madden was the biggest star in football broadcasting. Fox, ABC, and NBC made offers higher than the $2 million a year maximum for sportscaster salaries. NBC's owner General Electric (GE) offered to make Madden its "worldwide spokesman", and GE Rail would build him a luxury train. After he almost joined ABC,{{r|curtis20181213}} Madden and Summerall, along with Producer Bob Stenner and Director Sandy Grossman—known as the football broadcasting "A Team"—helped establish Fox's NFL coverage, Madden and that group gave Fox credibility to broadcast what Rupert Murdoch called "the crown jewel of all sports programming in the world". Madden's contract paid him more annually than any NFL player.{{cite web |url=https://www.theringer.com/nfl/2018/12/13/18137938/nfl-fox-deal-rupert-murdoch-1993-john-madden-terry-bradshaw-howie-long-jimmy-johnson-cbs-nbc |title=The Great NFL Heist: How Fox Paid for and Changed Football Forever |last=Curtis |first=Bryan |date=December 13, 2018 |website=The Ringer |access-date=December 13, 2018 |archive-date=December 13, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181213165558/https://www.theringer.com/nfl/2018/12/13/18137938/nfl-fox-deal-rupert-murdoch-1993-john-madden-terry-bradshaw-howie-long-jimmy-johnson-cbs-nbc |url-status=live }} However, toward the end of his tenure, Fox was reportedly losing an estimated $4.4 billion on its NFL contract for the eight-year deal it signed in 1998, and it had been trying to cut programming costs as a result. Madden's Fox contract would have been worth $8 million for 2003.

==ABC Sports (2002–2005)==

In 2002, Madden became a commentator on ABC's Monday Night Football, working with longtime play-by-play announcer Al Michaels.{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=CYBfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=VDAMAAAAIBAJ&pg=4760%2C141647|work=Lewiston Morning Tribune |location=(Idaho) |agency=Associated Press |title=Madden joins Monday Night Football |date=March 1, 2002 |page=5B}}{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=lL9eAAAAIBAJ&sjid=TzEMAAAAIBAJ&pg=4768%2C1055351 |work=Lewiston Morning Tribune |location=(Idaho) |agency=Associated Press |title=MNF's latest crew set for regular season |date=September 4, 2002 |page=3B}} Madden reportedly made $5 million per year.{{cite web |url=https://money.cnn.com/2002/02/28/companies/fox_madden/ |title=Madden leaves Fox for ABC |publisher=CNN Money |date=February 28, 2002 |access-date=October 12, 2011 |archive-date=October 19, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101019074754/http://money.cnn.com/2002/02/28/companies/fox_madden/ |url-status=live }}

==NBC Sports (2006–2008)==

In 2005, Dick Ebersol, president of NBC Sports, announced that Madden would provide color commentary for NBC's Sunday night NFL games, beginning with the 2006 season, making him the first sportscaster to have worked for all of the "Big Four" U.S. broadcast television networks.{{cite web |url=https://touchdownwire.usatoday.com/2021/12/28/hall-of-fame-coach-broadcaster-john-madden-passes-away-at-age-85/ |title=Hall of Fame coach, broadcaster John Madden passes away at age 85 |publisher=Touchdownwire.usatoday.com |date=March 18, 2021 |access-date=December 29, 2021 |archive-date=December 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211229005413/https://touchdownwire.usatoday.com/2021/12/28/hall-of-fame-coach-broadcaster-john-madden-passes-away-at-age-85/ |url-status=live }} On October 13, 2008, NBC announced that Madden would not be traveling to the October 19 Sunday Night Football Seattle Seahawks–Tampa Bay Buccaneers game in Tampa, Florida, marking the end of Madden's 476-weekend streak of consecutive broadcast appearances. Madden, who traveled by bus, decided to take the week off because he had traveled from Jacksonville to San Diego, and would have had to go back to Florida before returning to his Northern California home.{{cite web|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/football/2008-10-13-4257181960_x.htm|title=John Madden to skip this weekend's game|website=USA Today|access-date=February 12, 2017|archive-date=February 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170213074623/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/football/2008-10-13-4257181960_x.htm|url-status=live}}

Madden was replaced by Football Night in America studio analyst Cris Collinsworth for the game,{{cite web|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/football/2008-10-13-4257181960_x.htm|title=John Madden to skip this weekend's game|website=USA Today|access-date=February 12, 2017|archive-date=February 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170213074623/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/football/2008-10-13-4257181960_x.htm|url-status=live}} and returned for the following telecast on November 2, 2008, in Indianapolis. Until 2010 the NFL did not schedule Sunday night games for one week in October, so as not to overlap with the World Series taking place roughly around the same time. Madden called his final game on February 1, 2009, for Super Bowl XLIII between the Arizona Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Madden announced his official retirement from the broadcasting booth on April 16, 2009.{{cite news|url=https://www.forbes.com/2009/04/16/john-madden-retires-nbc-nfl-business-sports-john-madden.html|title=John Madden retires|date=April 16, 2009|last=Badenhausen|first=Kurt|work=Forbes|access-date=February 11, 2017|archive-date=June 13, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180613161853/https://www.forbes.com/2009/04/16/john-madden-retires-nbc-nfl-business-sports-john-madden.html|url-status=live}} He was succeeded by Collinsworth.{{cite news | url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-apr-17-et-madden17-story.html | work=Los Angeles Times | title=Football broadcaster John Madden retires | date=April 17, 2009 | access-date=February 11, 2017 | archive-date=February 12, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170212164507/http://articles.latimes.com/2009/apr/17/entertainment/et-madden17 | url-status=live }}

=Radio=

In the 1970s, Madden got his start in broadcasting by calling in to longtime San Francisco radio personality "The Emperor" Gene Nelson's show on station KYA while coach of the Raiders. He followed Nelson when he moved to station KSFO, and the call-ins continued even after Madden's coaching retirement. Madden later made appearances on KNBR.{{cite news |last=Fitzgerald |first=Tom |date=April 17, 2009 |url=https://www.sfgate.com/raiders/article/Ex-coach-famed-broadcaster-Madden-retires-3244522.php |title=Ex-coach, famed broadcaster Madden retires |work=San Francisco Chronicle |access-date=September 18, 2020 |archive-date=October 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024185814/https://www.sfgate.com/raiders/article/Ex-coach-famed-broadcaster-Madden-retires-3244522.php |url-status=live }} In 1997, he began calling in to radio station KCBS five days a week at 8:15 a.m. Pacific Time. This continued to Thanksgiving 2015, when he ceased calling after heart surgery and other health concerns.

In 2017, he began making twice-weekly appearances on KCBS radio again, appearing Mondays and Fridays at 9:15 a.m. He stopped making regular radio call-ins in August 2018, citing a desire to remove any obligations from his schedule. KCBS named him "Senior Investigative At-Large Correspondent", indicating that he may occasionally call in again.{{cite news |last=Peterson |first=Gary |date=August 17, 2018 |url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2018/08/17/john-madden-im-not-leaving-so-why-is-he-signing-off-from-his-radio-show/ |title=John Madden: 'I'm not leaving.' So why is he signing off from his radio show? |work=Mercury News |access-date=September 18, 2020 |archive-date=October 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028143201/https://www.mercurynews.com/2018/08/17/john-madden-im-not-leaving-so-why-is-he-signing-off-from-his-radio-show/ |url-status=live }} Madden also aired sports commentaries in syndication on the Westwood One radio network in the United States.{{cite web |url=https://www.sportcal.com/News/PressReleases/99965?&f=s%3A1%2FAmerican+football%7C |title=Westwood One and National Football League Renew Agreement | News |publisher=Sportcal |date=May 5, 2005 |access-date=December 29, 2021 |archive-date=December 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211229164158/https://www.sportcal.com/News/PressReleases/99965?&f=s%3A1%2FAmerican+football%7C |url-status=live }}

=Legacy=

Madden's lively and flamboyant delivery won him critical acclaim and fourteen Sports Emmy Awards for standing Sports Event Analyst. His announcing style was punctuated with interjections such as "Boom!", "Whap!", "Bang!", and "Doink!"' and with his use of the telestrator, a device which allowed him to superimpose his light-penned diagrams of football plays over video footage. Madden's use of the telestrator helped to popularize the technology, which has become a staple of television coverage of all sports.{{cite web |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2014/09/28/father-telestrator-drew-right/O6Pn3rgtZd9XykOYvFQ8dM/story.html |title=Father of Telestrator drew it up right |work=The Boston Globe |date=September 28, 2014 |access-date=December 29, 2021 |archive-date=December 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211229015937/https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2014/09/28/father-telestrator-drew-right/O6Pn3rgtZd9XykOYvFQ8dM/story.html |url-status=live }}

Madden was also known for working the annual Thanksgiving Day games for CBS and later Fox. He would award a turkey or turducken to the winning team. He awarded a turkey drumstick to players of the winning team following the Thanksgiving Day game, often bringing out a "nuclear turkey" with as many as eight drumsticks on it for the occasion. The drumsticks served as an odd take on the "player of the game" award. In 2002, Madden stopped announcing the Thanksgiving Day games after he moved to ABC, but the tradition continued. Fox, CBS, the NFL Network, and later NBC presented the Galloping Gobbler to the game's "Most Valuable" player to 2015.{{cite web |last=Sutelan |first=Edward |url=https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/nfl-turkey-leg-award-thanksgiving-john-madden/14w7c1i5jo5b41r7aav3qlgil6 |title=NFL Turkey Leg Award, explained: How John Madden started a Thanksgiving tradition |publisher=Sporting News |date=November 25, 2021 |access-date=December 29, 2021 |archive-date=December 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211229045112/https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/nfl-turkey-leg-award-thanksgiving-john-madden/14w7c1i5jo5b41r7aav3qlgil6 |url-status=live }}

Following his death, the NFL now honors Madden every Thanksgiving. Beginning in 2022, the entire tripleheader of games was dubbed the "John Madden Thanksgiving Celebration". A recording of Madden was played before each of the Thanksgiving games in 2022, and has continued since, along with the awarding of a “Madden Player of the Game” after each game, with NBC continuing on the tradition of awarding the turkey legs to its players of the game.{{cite web |title=NFL To Start Annual John Madden Thanksgiving Day Tradition |url=https://www.tmz.com/2022/11/11/nfl-starting-annual-john-madden-thanksgiving-day-tradition/ |website=TMZ Sports |access-date=26 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221125102322/https://www.tmz.com/2022/11/11/nfl-starting-annual-john-madden-thanksgiving-day-tradition/ |archive-date=25 November 2022 |date=11 November 2022 |url-status=live}}

=All-Madden team=

{{quote box

|width = 20em

|align = right

|quote = Of all those players, I think Jack Youngblood...personified the All-Madden team spirit...

|salign = right

|source =—John Madden{{cite book |last1=Madden |first1=John |author-link1=John Madden |last2=Anderson |first2=Dave |title=All Madden |edition=1st |year=1996 |publisher=HarperCollins Publishers |isbn=0-06-017205-3 |page=20 |chapter=It's Like I'm Still A Kid |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qqQgwa6HHHgC&q=team+spirit |access-date=November 22, 2009 |archive-date=December 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211230163055/https://books.google.com/books?id=qqQgwa6HHHgC&q=team+spirit |url-status=live }}

}}

In 1984, Madden took the advice of NFL coach John Robinson—a friend of Madden since elementary school—and created the "All-Madden" team, a group of players who Madden thought represented football and played the game the way he thought it should be played.{{cite book |last1=Madden |first1=John |author-link1=John Madden|last2=Anderson |first2=Dave |title=All Madden |url=https://archive.org/details/allmaddenheyimt000madd |url-access=registration |edition=1st |year=1996 |publisher=HarperCollins Publishers |isbn=0-06-017205-3 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/allmaddenheyimt000madd/page/15 15–16] |chapter=It's Like I'm Still A Kid}} Madden continued to pick the All-Madden team to the 2001 season when he left to move to ABC and Monday Night Football. Madden added his "Hall of Fame" for his favorite players.{{cite book |last1=Madden |first1=John |author-link1=John Madden |last2=Anderson |first2=Dave |title=All Madden |url=https://archive.org/details/allmaddenheyimt000madd |url-access=registration |edition=1st |year=1996 |publisher=HarperCollins Publishers |isbn=0-06-017205-3 |page=[https://archive.org/details/allmaddenheyimt000madd/page/18 18] |chapter=It's Like I'm Still A Kid |quote=There's an All-Madden Haul of Fame too, and that's not a typo. Haul of Fame is correct.}} He created a special 10th Anniversary All-Madden team in 1994, an All-Madden Super Bowl Team in 1997, and an All-Time All-Madden team in 2000. All Madden was the title of Madden's third best-selling book, after Hey, Wait A Minute? I Wrote a Book and One Knee Equals Two Feet.{{cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/madden/story?page=bio |title=John Madden |date=September 23, 2002 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090420232909/http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/madden/story?page=bio |work=ESPN|via=web.archive.org |archive-date=April 20, 2009 |access-date=November 22, 2009 |url-status=dead }}

In All Madden, Madden explained:

What does it mean to be 'All-Madden'? It's a whole range of things. For defensive linemen and linebackers, it's about Jack Youngblood playing with a busted leg, Lawrence Taylor wreaking havoc on the offense and Reggie White making the other guy wish he put a little more in the collection plate at church. It's about a guy who's got a dirty uniform, mud on his face and grass in the ear hole of his helmet.{{cite book |last1=Madden |first1=John |author-link1=John Madden |last2=Anderson |first2=Dave |title=All Madden |url=https://archive.org/details/allmaddenheyimt000madd |url-access=registration |edition=1st |year=1996 |publisher=HarperCollins Publishers |isbn=0-06-017205-3 |page=Dust jacket flap |no-pp=y}}

Other media

=Film=

Madden was featured in the movie Little Giants.{{cite web |last=Merican |first=Sara |date=October 14, 2019 |title=The Cast of 'Little Giants,' Then and Now |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/little-giants-cast-now-ed-oneill-rick-moranis-more-1228368/ |access-date=December 29, 2021 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US |archive-date=December 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211229012911/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/little-giants-cast-now-ed-oneill-rick-moranis-more-1228368/ |url-status=live }} He also played himself as the broadcaster of the fictional games in the film The Replacements alongside his broadcast partner at the time Pat Summerall.{{cite web |last=Krumboltz |first=Mike |date=January 30, 2015 |title=Fabulous Scenes in Forgettable Movies: 'The Replacements' |url=https://www.ozy.com/good-sht/fabulous-scenes-in-forgettable-movies-the-replacements/37549/ |access-date=December 29, 2021 |website=OZY |archive-date=December 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211229012736/https://www.ozy.com/good-sht/fabulous-scenes-in-forgettable-movies-the-replacements/37549/ |url-status=live }}

On December 25, 2021, the Fox network presented All Madden, a documentary highlighting Madden's rise to stardom as an NFL coach and broadcaster. Former and current NFL players appear in the film, which premiered prior to a Christmas Day contest on Fox between the Cleveland Browns and Green Bay Packers in Green Bay, just three days before his death.{{cite web |last1=Darwish |first1=Meaghan |title='All Madden': NFL's Finest Reflect on John Madden's Impact in First Trailer (VIDEO) |url=https://www.tvinsider.com/1024111/all-madden-documentary-trailer-fox-john-madden/ |website=TV Insider |access-date=December 8, 2021 |date=December 2, 2021 |archive-date=December 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211209195506/https://www.tvinsider.com/1024111/all-madden-documentary-trailer-fox-john-madden/ |url-status=live }} Following his death, Fox chose to re-air the documentary with a special encore presentation two days later on December 30. Various streaming platforms made the documentary available following the encore broadcast due to popular demand.

A biographical film, Madden, written and directed by David O. Russell and starring Nicolas Cage as Madden, started filming in April 2025.{{cite web |last1=Ho |first1=Rodney |title=Nicolas Cage coming to Atlanta to shoot Amazon biopic about John Madden |url=https://www.ajc.com/things-to-do/georgia-entertainment-scene/nicolas-cage-shooting-film-madden-in-atlanta/CMIJ2PPXKFAMVKBVHR6EHU5VZY/ |website=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |access-date=May 15, 2025 |date=February 26, 2025}}

=Advertising and cameos=

Madden appeared in a variety of radio and television commercials including Ace Hardware, Outback Steakhouse (the corporate sponsor of the Madden Cruiser), Verizon Wireless, Rent-A-Center, Miller Lite, Toyota, Sirius Satellite Radio, and "Tough Actin" Tinactin.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=y2YlMNeSsgAC&pg=PA15|title=You've Got to Be Believed to Be Heard: The Complete Book of Speaking … in Business and in Life!|first=Bert|last=Decker|year=2008|publisher=Macmillan|isbn=9781429947114|via=Google Books|access-date=August 22, 2017|archive-date=August 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803224722/https://books.google.com/books?id=y2YlMNeSsgAC&pg=PA15|url-status=live}}{{r|curtis20181213}} In particular, the Miller beer advertisements cemented Madden's image in the public eye as a bumbling but lovable personality.{{cite web | url=http://adage.com/article/cmo-strategy/miller-lite-air-classic-john-madden-ad/306355/ | title=Miller Lite Brings Back Classic John Madden Ad | last=Schultz | first=E.J. | work=Advertising Age | date=October 19, 2016 | access-date=February 11, 2017 | archive-date=February 12, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170212092754/http://adage.com/article/cmo-strategy/miller-lite-air-classic-john-madden-ad/306355/ | url-status=live }}

Madden appeared in a 1999 episode of The Simpsons, "Sunday, Cruddy Sunday".{{cite news |last=Bonesteel |first=Matt |date=August 21, 2014 |title=The Simpsons marathon is upon us. Here are the best episodes involving sports. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/early-lead/wp/2014/08/21/the-simpsons-marathon-is-upon-us-here-are-the-best-episodes-involving-sports/ |access-date=December 29, 2021 |newspaper=The Washington Post |language=en-US}} In 1982, Madden hosted an episode of NBC's Saturday Night Live with musical guest Jennifer Holliday.{{cite web |title=Saturday Night Live |url=https://www.metacritic.com/tv/saturday-night-live/season-7/episode-9-john-madden-jennifer-holliday |access-date=December 29, 2021 |publisher=Metacritic |archive-date=December 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211229011951/https://www.metacritic.com/tv/saturday-night-live/season-7/episode-9-john-madden-jennifer-holliday |url-status=live }} In 2001, Madden was featured in U2's music video for the song "Stuck in a Moment You Can't Get Out Of".{{cite web |last= |date=May 24, 2017 |title=Take a look back at U2's music video filmed in the Astrodome |url=https://www.khou.com/article/entertainment/music/take-a-look-back-at-u2s-music-video-filmed-in-the-astrodome/285-442596281 |access-date=December 29, 2021 |website=khou.com |language=en-US |archive-date=December 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211229011946/https://www.khou.com/article/entertainment/music/take-a-look-back-at-u2s-music-video-filmed-in-the-astrodome/285-442596281 |url-status=live }} In 1972, he appeared in the video for Paul Simon's single "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard",{{cite web | title=Paul Simon – Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard | date=June 16, 2011 |via = YouTube| url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6VrKro8djw |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/Z6VrKro8djw |archive-date=December 21, 2021 |url-status=live}}{{cbignore}} in which he attempts to teach football fundamentals to a group of kids playing a pickup game.{{cite web |last=Kordosh |first=John |date=April 20, 2015 |title=Paul Simon, Framed |url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/paul-simon-framed-116649544311.html |access-date=December 29, 2021 |publisher=Yahoo! |language=en-US |archive-date=December 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211229012315/https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/paul-simon-framed-116649544311.html |url-status=live }}

To minimize travel to studios, Madden built Goal Line Productions in Pleasanton, California.{{cite web|url=https://www.flip2media.com/video-production-ad-agency-about/|title=About our Video Production and Advertising Agency Team|website=flip2media.com|date=February 14, 2018 |access-date=February 24, 2020|archive-date=February 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200224185625/https://www.flip2media.com/video-production-ad-agency-about/|url-status=live}}

=''Madden NFL'' video games=

From 1988 on, Madden lent his name, voice and creative input to the John Madden Football series of video games by Electronic Arts, later called Madden NFL. Entries in the series have consistently been best-sellers, to the extent that they have even spawned TV shows featuring competition between players of the games{{Citation needed|date=April 2025}}. Despite Madden's retirement as a broadcaster in 2009, he still continued to lend his name and provide creative input to the series,{{cite news|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/ea-madden-nfl-franchise-to-continue-contract-long-term-2009-4|title=EA: Madden NFL Franchise To Continue, Contract 'Long Term' (ERTS)|date=April 16, 2009|work=Silicon Alley Insider|publisher=The Business Insider|access-date=May 15, 2009|archive-date=April 20, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090420024501/http://www.businessinsider.com/ea-madden-nfl-franchise-to-continue-contract-long-term-2009-4|url-status=live}} which were so popular that he became better known as the face of Madden to contemporary football fans than as a Super Bowl-winning coach and broadcaster, up until his death in 2021.{{r|thefranchise}}

Madden viewed the game as an educational tool. During initial planning conversations with Electronic Arts founder Trip Hawkins in 1984, Madden envisioned the program as a tool for teaching and testing plays.Hruby, Patrick. "[https://www.espn.com/espn/eticket/story?page=100805/madden&redirected=true The Franchise] " ESPN, August 5, 2010.{{cite magazine | last = Markazi | first = Arash | title = John Madden talks retirement, video game, plans for '09 season | magazine = Sports Illustrated | date = August 21, 2009 | url = http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/arash_markazi/08/21/john-madden-talks-retirement/index.html | access-date = May 2, 2010 | archive-date = January 13, 2010 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100113210812/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/arash_markazi/08/21/john-madden-talks-retirement/index.html | url-status = dead }} He stated in 2012 that Madden NFL was "a way for people to learn the game [of football] and participate in the game at a pretty sophisticated level".{{cite news | url=http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/7473139/tom-bissell-making-madden-nfl | title=Kickoff: Madden NFL and the Future of Video Game Sports | work=Grantland | date=January 17, 2012 | access-date=January 21, 2012 | author=Bissell, Tom | archive-date=January 21, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120121145650/http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/7473139/tom-bissell-making-madden-nfl | url-status=live }}

The EA Sports series continues to use his name, iconography and licence following his death, and announced on Madden Day, June 1, 2022, that all editions of Madden NFL 23 would feature Madden on the cover in tribute of his legacy, with the next gen version cover being a picture of Madden celebrating his victory as the head coach of the Oakland Raiders in Super Bowl XI, and the All Madden Edition cover being based on the cover of the series' 1st installment, John Madden Football.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2022-06-01 |title=John Madden Returns to the Cover of EA SPORTS Madden NFL 23 |url=https://www.ea.com/news/john-madden-returns-to-the-cover-of-easports-madden-nfl-23 |access-date= |website=Electronic Arts Inc. |archive-date=June 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220601141741/https://www.ea.com/news/john-madden-returns-to-the-cover-of-easports-madden-nfl-23 |url-status=live }}

Awards and honors

NFL

Super Bowl XI winner, as head coach of the Oakland Raiders

Broadcasting

16-time Emmy Award winner.{{cite web |title=John Madden Emmys profile |url=https://www.emmys.com/bios/john-madden |website=Emmys.com}}
1984 NSMA National Sportscaster of the Year.{{cite web |url=https://nationalsportsmedia.org/awards/national-awards |title=National Awards |website=nationalsportsmedia.org |access-date=December 28, 2021 |archive-date=May 9, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190509215435/https://nationalsportsmedia.org/awards/national-awards |url-status=live }}
Yahoo! Sports Top 50 All Time Network Television Sports Announcers (#2).{{cite news|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/top/news?slug=ys-top50announcers013009&prov=yhoo&type=lgns|title=The top 50 network TV announcers of all time|date=January 30, 2009|work=Yahoo Sports|publisher=Yahoo|access-date=May 15, 2009|archive-date=February 2, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090202180443/http://sports.yahoo.com/top/news?slug=ys-top50announcers013009&prov=yhoo&type=lgns|url-status=live}}
2002 Pete Rozelle Radio-Television Award winner.{{cite web |url=https://www.nfl.info/nflmedia/news/2002news/madden_named_rozelle_award_winne.htm |title=Madden Named Rozelle Award Winner |publisher=Nfl.info |access-date=December 29, 2021 |archive-date=December 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211229044749/https://www.nfl.info/nflmedia/news/2002news/madden_named_rozelle_award_winne.htm |url-status=live }}

Halls of Fame

Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame, class of 1991.{{cite web|url= http://www.bashof.org/Hall_of_Fame_1991.html|title= Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame inductees, class of 1991|access-date= July 9, 2015|archive-date= June 16, 2011|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110616062822/http://www.bashof.org/Hall_of_Fame_1991.html|url-status= dead}}
Pro Football Hall of Fame, class of 2006.{{cite web|url= http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/member.aspx?PLAYER_ID=255|title= John Madden|publisher= Pro Football Hall of Fame|access-date= December 27, 2012|archive-date= February 22, 2013|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130222165209/http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/member.aspx?player_id=255|url-status= live}}
California Hall of Fame, class of 2009.{{cite web |url=https://www.californiamuseum.org/4th-class |title=4th class – California Museum |access-date=December 28, 2021 |website=californiamuseum.org |date=September 22, 2016 |publisher=The California Museum |archive-date=December 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211229015832/https://www.californiamuseum.org/4th-class |url-status=live }}
2010 NSMA Hall of Fame inductee.{{cite web |url=https://nationalsportsmedia.org/awards/hall-of-fame/2010-john-madden |title=John Madden |website=nationalsportsmedia.org |access-date=December 28, 2021 |archive-date=December 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211229015320/https://nationalsportsmedia.org/awards/hall-of-fame/2010-john-madden |url-status=live }}

Personal life

Madden met his wife, Virginia Fields, in a bar in Pismo Beach, California. They married on December 26, 1959, in Santa Maria, California. Afterward, they lived in Pleasanton, California, and had two sons, Joseph and Michael. Joe played football for the Brown Bears. Mike attended Harvard University, where he started as receiver on the football team.{{cite web|first=Bill |last=Fleischman|url=https://articles.philly.com/1986-10-31/sports/26060296_1_harvard-joe-madden-high-school-quarterback|title=Harvard Vs. Brown, A Family Affair For Maddens|newspaper=Philadelphia Daily News|date=October 31, 1986|access-date=March 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160404060131/http://articles.philly.com/1986-10-31/sports/26060296_1_harvard-joe-madden-high-school-quarterback|archive-date=April 4, 2016|url-status=dead}} A grandson, Jesse, played football for the Michigan Wolverines in the early 2020s and was hired as a quality control coach for the Washington Commanders in 2025.{{cite web |last1=Farmer |first1=Sam |title=Rose Bowl postcards: John Madden’s grandson gets his Rose Bowl moment |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2024-01-01/rose-bowl-jesse-madden-john-michigan |website=Los Angeles Times |access-date=February 18, 2025 |date=January 1, 2024}}{{cite web |title=Commanders hire Brian Schneider and Jesse Madden |url=https://www.commanders.com/news/commanders-hire-brian-schneider-and-jesse-madden |website=Commanders.com |access-date=February 18, 2025 |date=February 18, 2025}}

=Aversion to flying=

Madden's aversion to flying was well known, although his fear was not realized until many years into his adult life. He had lost people close to him in the October 29, 1960, California Polytechnic State University football team plane crash that claimed the lives of 16 players, the team's student manager, and a football booster. In 1979, he had his first panic attack on a flight originating in Tampa, Florida. He never flew on a plane again.{{Cite web|url = https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl/my-personal-memories-of-john-madden/ar-AASjpJd?ocid=msedgntp|title = My Personal Memories of John Madden|website = MSN|access-date = December 31, 2021|archive-date = December 31, 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211231174945/https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl/my-personal-memories-of-john-madden/ar-AASjpJd?ocid=msedgntp|url-status = live}} Madden stated once in an interview that his fears were not about turbulence, flying, or heights, but primarily claustrophobia.{{cite web |url=http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/28380636// |title=Madden, Tollner recall deadly plane crash of '60 – College football – NBC Sports |publisher=MSNBC |date=December 24, 2008 |access-date=October 12, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120906173209/http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/28380636// |archive-date=September 6, 2012 |url-status=dead }}

During his appearance to host Saturday Night Live in the early 1980s, the show included a short film depicting Madden making the journey by train to New York City to host the show. In the mid-1980s, Madden was a frequent rider on Amtrak's Lake Shore Limited.{{cite news | title=Amtrak at 15: Whither Its Fortunes? | url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=MXoUAAAAIBAJ&pg=3175,2075054&dq=amtrak+capitol+limited&hl=en | work=Toledo Blade | first=Hank | last=Harvey | date=May 24, 1986 | access-date=May 23, 2010 | archive-date=June 13, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220613160339/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=MXoUAAAAIBAJ&pg=3175%2C2075054&dq=amtrak+capitol+limited&hl=en | url-status=dead }} Amtrak allowed Madden to use the dining car at any time.{{Cite podcast |url=https://30for30podcasts.com/episodes/maddens-game/ |title=Madden's Game |website=30 for 30 Podcasts |publisher=ESPN |last=Wheaton |first=Wil |access-date=September 19, 2020 |archive-date=October 20, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201020141610/https://30for30podcasts.com/episodes/maddens-game/ |url-status=live }}

Beginning in 1987, Greyhound Lines supplied Madden with a custom bus and drivers in exchange for advertising and speaking events, dubbed the Madden Cruiser.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/how-john-madden-turned-his-fear-of-flying-into-the-hall-of-fame-worthy-madden-cruiser-bus/|title=How John Madden turned his fear of flying into the Hall of Fame-worthy 'Madden Cruiser' bus|first=Shanna|last=McCarriston|work=CBS Sports|date=December 29, 2021|access-date=December 29, 2021|archive-date=December 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211229192552/https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/how-john-madden-turned-his-fear-of-flying-into-the-hall-of-fame-worthy-madden-cruiser-bus/|url-status=live}} The Madden Cruiser shells were manufactured by Motor Coach Industries. The coach-bus sponsors over the years included Walker Advantage Muffler and Outback Steakhouse.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/17/sports/football/17madden.html|title=For John Madden, at 73, the Game's Still On|first=Richard|last=Sandomir|newspaper=The New York Times|date=December 16, 2009|access-date=February 25, 2017|archive-date=February 12, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170212164603/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/17/sports/football/17madden.html|url-status=live}} In 2018, Madden donated the original Madden Cruiser to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, where it was restored to its original condition.{{cite news |last1=DeArdo |first1=Bryan |title=John Madden dies at 85: Five things you probably didn't know about the Hall of Fame coach and broadcaster |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/john-madden-dies-at-85-five-things-you-probably-didnt-know-about-the-hall-of-fame-coach-and-broadcaster/ |access-date=November 23, 2023 |work=CBSSports.com |date=December 29, 2021 |language=en}}

Madden never did commentary for the Pro Bowl, which was held in Honolulu every year of his broadcasting career. Likewise, Madden never called any preseason game held outside of North America, even when his play-by-play partner was on the telecast. Madden found an unexpected use for his bus in New York City after the September 11, 2001 attacks, when he provided transportation for former ice-skating champion Peggy Fleming, whose flight home to Los Gatos, California, had been grounded.{{cite web|url=http://www.bankrate.com/brm/news/auto/car-guide-2004/madden1.asp |title=John Madden: America's biggest commuter |first=Paul |last=Bannister |date=December 9, 2003 |publisher=Bankrate |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091201112049/http://www.bankrate.com/brm/news/auto/car-guide-2004/madden1.asp |archive-date=December 1, 2009 |access-date=November 22, 2009 |url-status=dead }}

= Philanthropy =

File:JohnMaddenFootballCenterSignInSanLuisObispoCAIn2023.jpg in May 2023]]

In June 2016, Madden's bocce tournament, co-hosted with Steve Mariucci, raised $5 million for Special Olympics Northern California, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, and the Diabetes Youth Foundation.{{Cite news |last=Tafur |first=Vic |date=June 8, 2016 |title=Rehabbing Madden misses his own charity bocce tournament |work=SF Gate |url=https://www.sfgate.com/raiders/article/Ailing-Madden-misses-his-own-charity-bocce-7972179.php |access-date=October 15, 2022}} In 2021, Madden began funding six scholarships to his alma mater, Cal Poly, for students from various East Bay high schools.{{Cite news |last=Quan |first=Holly |date=February 4, 2022 |title=John Madden's public memorial will benefit underserved Bay Area youth |work=KCBS All News 106.9 FM and 740 AM |url=https://www.audacy.com/kcbsradio/news/local/maddens-memorial-will-benefit-underserved-bay-area-youth |access-date=October 15, 2022}}

In October 2022, Cal Poly and the Madden family announced that Madden had donated a leading contribution toward a total $30-million football facility on the Cal Poly campus. The facility, to be named the John Madden Football Center, would furnish all-new lockers, strength and conditioning facilities, a nutrition center, offices, training rooms and a film-review theater for the team's coaches, players and trainers.{{Cite news |last=Inman |first=Cam |date=October 2, 2022 |title=John Madden Football Center coming to Cal Poly SLO |work=San Jose Mercury News |url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2022/10/02/john-madden-football-center-coming-to-cal-poly-slo/ |access-date=October 15, 2022}} The facility will encompass 30,000 square feet{{Cite magazine |last=Koons |first=Zach |date=October 4, 2022 |title=Cal Poly Names New Football Center After Alumnus John Madden |magazine=Sports Illustrated |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/2022/10/04/cal-poly-names-new-football-center-after-alumnus-john-madden |access-date=October 15, 2022}} and is anticipated to open in 2029, with the entrance adjacent to the university's memorial for the 1960 airline crash victims, many of whom were Madden's friends.{{Cite news |last=Bonagura |first=Kyle |date=October 1, 2022 |title=Cal Poly unveils plans for construction of John Madden Football Facility |work=ESPN |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/34705296/cal-poly-unveils-plans-construction-john-madden-football-facility |access-date=October 15, 2022}}

= Death =

Madden died at his home in Pleasanton, California, on December 28, 2021, at the age of 85.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/28/sports/football/john-madden-dead.html|title=John Madden, Face and Voice of the N.F.L. on the Field and in the Broadcast Booth, Dies at 85|work=The New York Times|date=December 28, 2021|last=Shpigel|first=Ben|url-access=limited|access-date=December 29, 2021|archive-date=December 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211229015721/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/28/sports/football/john-madden-dead.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/32963783/john-madden-beautiful-goodbye|title=The final, beautiful goodbye of NFL legend John Madden|date=December 30, 2021|publisher=ESPN|access-date=December 31, 2021|archive-date=December 31, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211231091341/https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/32963783/john-madden-beautiful-goodbye|url-status=live}} The cause of death was undisclosed.{{cite web |title=John Madden, legendary Hall of Fame coach and broadcaster, dies at age 85 |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/john-madden-legendary-hall-of-fame-coach-dies-at-age-85 |publisher=National Football League |date=December 28, 2021 |access-date=December 29, 2021 |archive-date=December 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211229003550/https://www.nfl.com/news/john-madden-legendary-hall-of-fame-coach-dies-at-age-85 |url-status=live }}