Legendary trainer and broadcaster John Madden died Tuesday morning, the NFL announced. For fans, no one is more football than Madden, and maybe no one has done more to bring new people into the game.
“On behalf of the entire NFL family, we extend our condolences to Virginia, Mike, Joe and their families,” said NFL commissioner Roger Goodell in an official statement. “We all know him as the Oakland Raiders Hall of Fame trainer and as a broadcaster who worked for all the major broadcasters, but most of all he was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather.
“Nobody loved football more than a coach. He was soccer. It has been an incredible sounding board for me and so many others. There will never be a John Madden again, and we will forever be indebted to him for all he has done to make football and the NFL what it is today. “
A late draft selection, Driving me crazyHis stint in the NFL was set to begin with the Philadelphia Eagles in 1958, but a knee injury that ended his career sidelined him before his professional days began. Madden switched to coaching and started at a community college. It ended in Oakland, took home a Lombardi Trophy and became the most successful coach in Raiders history. Madden had secured his spot as one of the greatest coaches of his era before stepping down to become a broadcaster. Madden also excelled on television, becoming one of the most memorable and entertaining color commentators. He won 16 Emmy Awards before retiring in 2008.
As a child, of course, I remember him Monday night football, but Madden was that larger than life figure. He appeared in hardware store ads and beer commercials. You’d see him in random music videos or on. discover The simpsons. He was that cheerful character from Americana who was scared of flying but loved soccer very much. For me and many others, his greatest cultural achievement was Madden NFL.
I didn’t play in 1988 John Madden Soccer, but remember seeing the boxing art in stores with Madden bursting through a blackboard with a soccer ball in hand, a big grin on her face. I bought John Madden Soccer two years later on the Genesis. Compared to any other soccer game – hell, compared to every other sports game I played back then it was a revelation. The Madden Games not only showed his voice and image, but also radiated his personality. The appeal was more than that, however: it is important that the boxing art of the debut game showed Madden breaking through a board covered in pieces. As amusing as I found the ambulance ride on the field, these games were about learning strategies and tactics. You hit the very heart of football.
A Super Bowl win can help build a franchise or create a dynasty. Lively color comments provide an insight into the game and become sound bits for highlight reels. It’s hard to measure the impact of Madden NFL. The games became a way for people not only to play a virtual version of football, but also to develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of the game. I’m from the generation I grew up in Driving me crazy– but now every generation seems to be doing it. Even if you’ve never seen him as a trainer or a showIf you’ve ever played a soccer video game, you have been influenced by John Madden. And therefor, we thank him.
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