Some people leave a mark so deep, so indelible, so omnipresent to a corner of this world that it feels like they’ve always been there. It feels like they always will be. Until, suddenly, they’re not.
John Madden was one of them.
To think of the NFL is to think of Madden, in at least some way. He rose to fame in a decade-long stint as the coach of the renegade Oakland Raiders, making it to seven AFC title games and winning the Super Bowl following the 1976 season. He compiled a 103-32-7 regular-season record, and his .759 winning percentage is the best among NFL coaches with more than 100 games.
But it was his work after prematurely retiring as coach at age 42 that made Madden truly a household name. He was the preeminent television sports analyst for most of his three decades calling games, winning an unprecedented 16 Emmy Awards for outstanding sports analyst/personality, and covering 11 Super Bowls for four networks from 1979-2009.
Following the news of his death on Tuesday, many around the football world made sure to highlight his work both on and off the field, and both in and outside the booth, and how it made him a beloved coach, broadcaster and individual.
Rest In Peace to a Legend! Prayers to the Madden Family. https://t.co/4zvhu5vEUd
— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) December 29, 2021
Absolute legend amongst legends.
Rest In Peace Mr. Madden.
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) December 29, 2021
Sad to hear of John Madden passing. Praying for his family.
— Derek Carr (@derekcarrqb) December 29, 2021
John Madden was a treasure. He was a gift. And he was an incredible friend.
RIP John
— Troy Aikman (@TroyAikman) December 29, 2021
RIP to an incredible man and coach, John Madden. My thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones and Raider Nation
— Jerome Bettis (@JeromeBettis36) December 29, 2021
Coach John Madden was an NFL icon, who played, coached and gave his name to a video game. But to me he offered his time, wisdom and coaching insight. I was truly blessed to have him as a mentor! RIP Coach
— Ron Rivera (@RiverboatRonHC) December 29, 2021
Rest In Peace to the legend John Madden The game wouldn’t be the same without him. His legacy will live on forever.
— Flash Garrett (@Flash_Garrett) December 29, 2021
RIP TO JOHN MADDEN!
— Tyrann Mathieu (@Mathieu_Era) December 29, 2021
"The road to Easy Street goes through the sewer." — John Madden, RIP.
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— Cooper Kupp (@CooperKupp) December 29, 2021
Rest in Paradise To the John Madden!!!! Your legacy will continue to live on !!!!!
— LeBron James (@KingJames) December 29, 2021
RIP to the legend Coach John Madden! I never heard of ALL-PRO teams during my childhood. It was all about the All Madden team!! One of a kind! Rest up Coach
— Draymond Green (@Money23Green) December 29, 2021
–With files from the Associated Press.
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