John Madden boasted an impressive 103-32-7 record.  His .759 winning percentage remains the best of all NFL coaches who have coached at least 100 games.  Madden coached the Oakland Raiders for ten seasons from 1969-1978, starting when he was only 32 years old.  To this day, he holds the record for the youngest coach to have 100 wins, at only 42 years old. 

Additionally, he has the most wins of any coach in the Raiders history, and has never had a losing season in his career.  Madden has one Super Bowl win, Super Bowl XI, in his ten years coaching in the NFL.  Although there are plenty of coaches who have won more Super Bowls than he did, his impact on the game of football and the lives of football fans is greater than anyone else’s.

John Madden was born in the state of Minnesota, but was raised in California.  He attended a Catholic school but later transferred to Jefferson High School, where he played football for the school’s team.  Madden started college at the College of San Mateo for one year before he was offered a scholarship to play football for the Oregon Ducks.  During his first season, he suffered a knee injury and was redshirted, which caused him to transfer to California Polytechnic State University where he played both offense and defense.  He received All-Conference Honors for his work as an offensive lineman.  In 1957, Madden was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 21st round of the NFL draft; however, he injured his knee before he could even leave the practice squad, ending his playing career. 

Despite the challenge, this injury worked in his favor.  Madden’s interest in coaching football was captured while he was recovering from his injury and obtaining his teaching degree.

“I got hurt in my rookie year with the Philadelphia Eagles – a knee injury – and I couldn’t play.  While I was rehabbing, Norm Van Brocklin would be watching films and would explain what was happening.  I ended up with a degree in teaching and my love for football meshed with teaching,” Madden once said.

Madden assumed several college coaching positions before becoming a linebackers coach for the Raiders.  He and the Raiders reached Super Bowl II, and a season later, the Raiders head coach left the team to coach the Buffalo Bills. 

“John Madden was promoted to head coach, where he had one of the most successful careers of all time.  John Madden was an incredible football icon who contributed to the game both on the field as a coach and player, and off the field with his creation of the Madden video game,” said senior Jamie Goldman.

When his coaching career came to a close, Madden pursued a career of broadcasting, mainly due to his fear of flying.  In fact, when Madden was a coach, he traveled to the bulk of his games in his RV, rather than on a plane.  He began his broadcasting career with CBS, where he and Pat Summerall quickly emerged as the network’s top commentary team.  He brought excitement to the game and was a master at his craft, and the announcers following have trouble living up to his legacy.

“John Madden was one of the most influential people to the game of football.  He was one of the most entertaining announcers of all time and will forever be missed by players and fans of the game,” said junior Sean Agin. 

He called several Super Bowls and many of the primetime games because of how great he was, including the Thanksgiving games.

“Since 1981, I’ve spent every Thanksgiving Day broadcasting a game, and it is one of my favorite days.  You can say, ‘Woe is me, I never get to be part of the tradition,’ or you can say, ‘Heck, we’ve got our own tradition, and it’s pretty good,’” Madden said.

His name will forever live on through the Madden video games.  Originally, EA Sports expected him to only lend his name to the game, but on top of that, he helped in developing it.  Madden made crucial decisions that shape the game that millions of people play every day and is the reason that Madden plays to the exact specifications of a real game.

“There is no better name for a game where you coach your own football team than John Madden Football,” said junior Cal Gober.

On Dec. 28, the NFL Community lost a legend of a coach and broadcaster.  In honor of him, the commissioner Roger Goodell had each home team observe a moment of silence before kickoff to honor his legacy.  The City of Oakland will hold a public memorial service on Feb. 15 to honor their beloved coach, the great John Madden.