John Madden (1936

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Biography

John Earl Madden was an American professional football coach and sports commentator in the National Football League (NFL). He served as the head coach of the Oakland Raiders from 1969 to 1978, leading them to eight playoff appearances, seven division titles, seven AFL/AFC Championship Game appearances, and the franchise's first Super Bowl title in Super Bowl XI. Never having a losing season, Madden holds the highest winning percentage among NFL head coaches who coached at least 100 games. He is considered one of the greatest coaches of all time.

Timeline

The story of John Madden, told in moments.

1969 Event

Named head coach of the Oakland Raiders at 32. Youngest coach in the AFL at the time. His teams never had a losing season. Won Super Bowl XI in 1977.

What was it like being the youngest coach in the AFL at 32? How did you keep the Raiders from ever having a losing season? Was the Super Bowl a relief or a celebration?

1979 Life

Retired from coaching at 42 due to burnout and a bleeding ulcer. Moved into broadcasting. His excitable style, telestrator circles, and six-legged turkey became television staples for three decades.

Was retiring at 42 surrendering or surviving? Did the telestrator feel natural from the start? How did a bleeding ulcer lead to three decades on television?

1988 Event

Lent his name and expertise to John Madden Football, which became the Madden NFL franchise. It sold over 250 million copies across three decades. He approved every game personally.

Did you know the video game would outlast everything else? What does it mean that 250 million copies carry your name? Was approving every game personally exhausting or essential?

2021 Death

Died unexpectedly the morning after Christmas. Age 85. He'd avoided flying his entire broadcasting career, traveling the country in a custom bus called the Madden Cruiser.

Why did you never fly your entire broadcasting career? Was the Madden Cruiser freedom or a prison on wheels? Did dying the day after Christmas feel like timing or coincidence?

Artifacts (14)

Hey, Wait a Minute, I Wrote a Book

A former football coach turned TV star tells his story.

1984

Works Read Talk

One Knee Equals Two Feet: (and Everything Else You Need to Know about Football)

With anecdotes and observations, and a minumum of technical terms, Madden gives us an insider's view of the pains, pleasures, gossip, and people that make up America's favorite sport. Madden is a...

1987

Works Read Talk

One Size Doesn't Fit All

The CBS commentator on the Sunday NFL games tells his views on a variety of subjects.

1988

Works Read Talk

The First Book of Football

Football and television superstar John Madden explains the fundamentals of football, including comments on what makes football great and ways to watch a game.

1988

Works Read Talk

All Madden: Hey, I'm Talking Pro Football!

America's favorite television sports announcer and three-time New York Times bestselling author uses his trademark wit and acumen to once again provide football insights galore to take readers on a...

1996

Works Read Talk

John Madden's Ultimate Tailgating

Madden takes a witty and tasteful look at two of America's greatest obsessions--sports and food--and how they meet in the purely American phenomenon of the tailgate party. Over 80 recipes sorted by...

1998

Works Read Talk

Oakland

The conductor announces Oakland Station resort, and the passenger cars quickly empty. It is summer in the late 1800s, and travelers from New York City and Paterson are eager to begin their vacations....

2003

Works Read Talk

John Madden's Heroes of Football: The Story of America's Game

John Madden shares his knowledge and love of football, "America's game".

2006

Works Read Talk

Electrical Safety and the Law

Electrical Safety and the Law describes the hazards and risks from the use of electricity, explaining with the help of case studies and accident statistics the types of accidents that occur and how...

2017

Works Read Talk

It may be considered politically unwise, but it seems to me to be the general wi...

s as benefiting the people, such as reinstating the parlements. When questioned about his decision, he said, "It may be considered politically unwise, but it seems to me to be the general wish and I...

Works Talk

Shall We Drink Wine?: A Physician's Study of the Alcohol Question

1899

Works Read Talk

Forest Friends: The Woodland Adventures of a Boy Pioneer

1907

Works Read Talk

All Madden

1996

Works Read Talk

One Knee Equals Two Feet: (and Everything Else You Need to Know about American Football)

1986

Works Read Talk

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