John Madden was a famous American football coach, broadcaster, and the namesake of the long‑running Madden NFL video game series.

Coaching career

Madden was head coach of the Oakland Raiders from 1969 to 1978, leading the team to its first Super Bowl win in Super Bowl XI after the 1976 season. He never had a losing season and finished with one of the highest winning percentages in NFL history among coaches with at least 100 games.

Broadcasting and media

After retiring from coaching, Madden became a hugely popular television commentator, working NFL games for CBS, Fox, ABC, and NBC from 1979 to 2009 and winning numerous Sports Emmy Awards. His energetic style and use of the telestrator helped make him one of the most recognizable voices in American sports.

Madden NFL video games

Madden lent his name and expertise to the Madden NFL video game franchise, which became the best‑selling American football game series and a major part of NFL fan culture. The games are known for emphasizing realistic play and strategy, influenced by his coaching philosophy.

Early life and legacy

Born April 10, 1936, in Austin, Minnesota, Madden played college football at Cal Poly before a knee injury ended his brief attempt at an NFL playing career. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006, and he died on December 28, 2021, in Pleasanton, California.