NFL legendary coach John Madden dies at 85
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The National Football League announces that football icon and commentary John Madden passes away at 85, but did not give a cause of death.
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Madden worked for four major networks, at one stage commanding a salary that was higher than any NFL player.
NFL legend and former coach John Madden, who guided the Oakland Raiders to a Super Bowl victory before embarking on a successful broadcasting career and pioneering a blockbuster video game franchise, dies at 85, NFL announced.
The NFL confirmed Madden died "unexpectedly" on Tuesday morning but did not give a cause of death.
The NFL is saddened to share the passing of the legendary John Madden. He was 85. pic.twitter.com/MxLFYLfY8k
— NFL (@NFL) December 29, 2021
In a statement, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said "Nobody loved football more than Coach," adding that Madden "was football."
Goodell expressed that "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."
A statement on the great John Madden from @nflcommish. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/HwUm8eT8rr
— NFL (@NFL) December 29, 2021
Turning point
Born on April 10, 1936, Madden grew up in California and looked destined for a career in football after starring for his high school.
But his hopes of a professional career ended without playing a game when he suffered a second serious knee injury during his first professional training camp after being drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in 1958.
After several years of coaching in college football, Madden was hired as linebackers coach for Oakland raiders in 1967.
Two years later, he would become the youngest head coach in NFL history at that time, at the age of 32 years and 10 months.
However, fatigue and ill health caused by a stomach ulcer led Madden to walk away from the sport.
Eventually, he would work for four major networks -- CBS, Fox, ABC, and NBC -- at one stage commanding a salary that was higher than any NFL player.
One of the biggest-selling video games of all time
Madden's distinctive style made him the logical choice as the figurehead of the only NFL video game, "John Madden Football", launched in 1988.
More than a game. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/vtn6HlMj1p
— NFL (@NFL) December 29, 2021
The game, which would later be known simply as "Madden NFL" and updated every year, would become one of the biggest-selling video games of all time -- generating billions of dollars in sales -- and hugely popular with fans and NFL players alike.
