Life Lessons From John Madden
He was great coach, announcer, and person
How truly great was the late John Madden, who passed away on December 28, 2021 at the age of 85?
So great that he is a legend in three different walks of life — and if you ask someone what they remember or know about John Madden their answer will tell you how old they are.
Old schoolers will remember Madden pacing the sidelines for the Oakland Raiders for 10 years, waving his arms around in his black collared shirts.
He accumulated a record of 103–32 and seven ties from 1969 to 1978, winning the AFC West seven times and finishing second the other three years. He also won Super Bowl XI in ’77, defeating the Minnesota Vikings, 32–14.
Madden was just 32 years when Al Davis promoted the Oakland linebackers coach to the youngest head coach in the history of the NFL.
Madden had a great rapport with his players. His Raider teams were a motley crew of players full of moxie and vibrant personalities — like Ken Stabler, Fred Biletnikoff, George Blanda, Jack Tatum and Gene Upshaw.
Madden’s two rules
Madden had only two — but important — rules: be on time and play hard. He could care less about facial hair, their wild outlaw image, or partying off the gridiron.
Madden retired after the ’78 season due to his increasingly deteriorating ulcers and panic attacks, but made a more than smooth transition to the broadcasting booth where he became an icon, and revolutionized how the game was watched and broadcast.
He had staff members sit down and watch the game film — over and over — the same way opposing coaches watched film to prepare for opponents.
A colorful broadcaster
Broadcasting for 29 years (1979 to 2008) and for all four networks, no one will forget the scribbly lines, x’s and o’s and other pen marks he’d make on the telescreens to help the common fan get a better understanding of play-calling, defenses, execution and other aspects of football.
Madden won 14 Sports Emmy Awards for his broadcasting. At the suggestion of childhood pal John Robinson, he created the yearly all-Madden team consisting of players who symbolized the way Madden thought the game should be played.
Revolutionary broadcaster
Madden retired after the ’78 season due to his increasingly deteriorating ulcers and panic attacks, but made a more than smooth transition to the broadcasting booth where he became an icon, and revolutionized how the game was watched and broadcast.
He had staff members sit down and watch the game film — over and over — the same way opposing coaches watched film to prepare for opponents.
Broadcasting for 29 years (1979 to 2008) and for all four networks, no one will forget the scribbly lines, x’s and o’s and other pen marks he’d make on the telescreens to help the common fan get a better understanding of play-calling, defenses, execution and other aspects of football.
Madden’s famous sayings
And who can forget the colorful, often humorous, unique — but simplistic — John Madden language?
“You got one guy going ‘boom,’ one guy going ‘whack,’ and one guy not getting in the end zone.”
“When your arm gets hit, the ball is not going to go where you want it to.”
“Here’s a guy who can use his arms and his legs at the same time.”
Or the nostalgic ones:
“I get a certain feeling when I go to Lambeau Field in Green Bay. Soldier Field in Chicago is special to me. Those are the places I really like. The stadiums.”
Madden won 14 Sports Emmy Awards for his broadcasting. At the suggestion of childhood pal John Robinson, he created the yearly all-Madden team consisting of players who symbolized the way Madden thought the game should be played.
A people person
John Madden was a people person.
Although I never met John Madden, I felt like I did with his flamboyant, favorite-uncle style broadcasting. He spoke to you at a fan’s level. He was a teacher at heart and loved to explain the game, and he loved to learn more about the game.
Cris Collinsworth shared a story where Madden met his kids and was thrilled that their youth football team ran a 6–2 defense, and he immediately grabbed salt and pepper shakers to explain more in depth to the young players about the nuances of 6–2 defense.
Al Michaels was out at dinner, and Michaels didn’t want onions in his French Onion soup. John Madden couldn’t handle it. He had to have the chef come out and explain how the soup was prepared without the onions. He wanted to learn.
Afraid to fly
Madden was afraid to fly, which all started allegedly from a flight in 1979 from Tampa when he had a panic attack. Madden claims it was due to his claustrophobia though. Others say a plane crash involving his alma mater Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, a few years after he graduated was to blame for his fear of flying.
Regardless, it just added to the legend and mystic of Madden. He would hit the road in the Madden Cruiser, which became iconic, and was often featured on his weekly Sunday broadcasts.
The cross-country traveling also allowed Madden to see America and meet people, both of which Madden greatly loved and enjoyed.
Known for video game
It’s yet to be mentioned what the eight through twenty-something-year-olds will remember John Madden for. That’s easy: Electronic Arts Sports’ Madden Football video games. The popular sports video game that Madden boldly and bravely put his name to.
Originally, the idea was presented to have a video football game of seven on seven players with designed plays. Madden opposed and insisted that it had to be eleven on eleven.
Madden’s wish was granted and Madden Football was created for the Apple II in 1988, originally featuring plays primarily from the Raiders’ old playbook. And the rest is history.
There are two things we all can take and learn from the life of John Madden.
The first is how passionate he was about his profession whether it was coaching young players, learning team’s strengths, getting to know players and coaches as a broadcaster, or communicating his football knowledge to the audience in an enthusiastic — boom! — fun and easy-to-follow fashion for a fan to follow.
We can strive to be as passionate about teaching, coaching, or learning a subject, hobby or craft as much as Madden did.
Second, was the way he cared about others. He was genuine in his interest of others. He was a people person and loved not just to talk and meet new people, but also to listen to others.
Talking statues
Madden even said as much in his memorable Hall of Fame induction speech in 2006:
“I believe the busts talk to each other. I can’t wait for those conversations.
I really can’t. Vince Lombardi, Knute Rockne, Reggie White, Walter Payton,and all my ex-players. We’ll be there forever and ever and ever talking about whatever.”
John, enjoy those football and other conversations with all your ex-players and other NFL greats.
RIP John Earl Madden (April 10, 1936-December 28, 2021).
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Tagging some fellow sports fans: Scot Butwell, Gerald Sturgill, Sam Ochstein, Jameson Steward, Laura McDonell, MarkfromBoston, Julian Cosky, Scott Younkin, Craig Stanland, Frank Priegue, Andy Spears, Harold Zeitung, Susan McCorkindale, Brian Wright, Charles Water, JH Spencer, Michael Dolan, George Blue Kelly, Patrick OConnell
