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John Madden, Hall of Fame Raiders Coach and Broadcaster, Dies Unexpectedly

The NFL great was 85 years old.

Madeline Coleman

John Madden, Hall of Fame Raiders Coach and Broadcaster, Dies Unexpectedly
John Madden, Hall of Fame Raiders Coach and Broadcaster, Dies Unexpectedly /
John Madden died at 85 years old.
Matthew Emmons/USA TODAY Sports

The NFL announced Tuesday evening that NFL great John Madden unexpectedly died earlier that morning. He was 85 years old. 

“On behalf of the entire NFL family, we extend our condolences to Virginia, Mike, Joe and their families,” said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. “We all know him as the Hall of Fame coach of the Oakland Raiders and broadcaster who worked for every major network, but more than anything, he was a devoted husband, father and grandfather.

“Nobody loved football more than Coach. 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.”

The Raiders later released a statement, highlighting the former coach’s accomplishments and impact on the game of football. 

The legend was only 32 when then Raiders owner Al Davis hired him in 1969 to coach the franchise. Madden led Oakland to a 103-32-7 regular-season record and won the Super Bowl during the 1976 season before heading to the broadcasting booth in ’78. The franchise won seven division titles and made the playoffs eight times under his leadership. 

Madden was added to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006.

While he reached monumental levels as a coach, Madden is likely best known for his broadcasts, working for the likes of CBS, Fox, ABC and NBC and winning multiple Emmys, and the football video game made in his name—EA Sports’ Madden NFL.

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Madeline Coleman
MADELINE COLEMAN

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