Dead John Madden, the NFL legend was 85 years old

The NFL mourns the death of John Madden, the icon of the oval ball. The former coach, commentator, iconic figure of the NFL world, capable of reaching even the latest generation of fans thanks to the video game that bears his name, died unexpectedly at 85. Madden was one of the most popular sports characters in the United States, for his disruptive way of doing things, for his ability to “pierce the screen”.

Madden coach

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He was coach of Al Davis’ Oakland Raiders from 1969 to 1978, winning Super Bowl XI, beating the Minnesota Vikings in Pasadena, California, in 1977. Young and bubbly then. His percentage of successes among the Coaches capable of reaching 100 victories in the NFL remains the best every time: 103 won, 32 lost, 7 draws. Despite retiring at just 42, Madden has always felt like a coach, a football teacher to be exact. The love for the game as a compass, beyond professional goals.

Madden commentator

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But it was as a TV commentator that Madden conquered America. Passionate, engaging, histrionic. Above all direct, with a colorful, funny language and “bread to bread”. He covered 11 Super Bowl for work, working for 4 different networks from 1979 to 2009: CBS, Fox, Abc and Nbc. Also famous for his fear of flying, he has traveled around America in a bus for years, stadium by stadium, game by game.

The videogame

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The one that bears his name, modern, indeed contemporary, extraordinary for realism and to bring the fan “inside the gridiron” also thanks to the game tactics, had not limited himself to naming it, but has helped to develop it and make it a must for many kids (and as many adults) from all over the world, far beyond the US borders.

The press release

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From Commissioner Goodell: “Nobody loved football more than Coach. There will never be another John Madden, and we will always be indebted to him for everything he has done to make football and NFL what they are today. ”