Las Vegas Raiders, NFL lose a giant with passing of John Madden
By Brad Weiss
The Raiders and the NFL lost a giant on Tuesday, as former head coach John Madden died unexpectedly at the age of 85.
On Tuesday, the Las Vegas Raiders and the NFL lost a giant, as former head coach John Madden passed away unexpectedly at the age of 85. An absolute legend in so many walks of life, Madden was as big an NFL icon as there ever was, and left a legacy both on and off the field that cannot be rivaled.
When Madden was named the head coach of the then-Oakland Raiders back in 1969, he became the youngest head coach in the history of the NFL. At the helm of this storied franchise, Madden put together a run of success that we have not seen since, posting an incredible record of 103-32-7 across that span.
As the Raiders developed into a powerhouse franchise, Madden coached in some of the biggest games in the history of the organization, including Super Bowl XI. In that game, the Raiders throttled the Minnesota Vikings 32-14, giving the franchise their first Super Bowl championship.
Raiders legend John Madden an all-time great
While Madden may have been one of the greatest coaches in the history of the NFL, his reach was far beyond just the Xs and Os of the coaching world. Madden became a mainstay on national television, serving as a color commentator, and then becoming the face of the Madden Football franchise.
Also, Madden was instrumental in many league matters and was a sounding board for commissioners and owners alike. He truly was an icon when it came to the game of football, but above all else, was an outstanding, father and husband.
This death leaves an incredible hole in the heart of Raider Nation, as there are few members of the franchise who left the kind of mark that Madden did. His smile, his demeanor, and his love for the sport were second to none, and there will absolutely never be another like him.
Rest easy Coach.