John Madden is one of the most widely recognized figures in NFL history, renowned for his accomplishments as a coach, commentator, and namesake of the most popular NFL video game franchise.
Who is the NFL legend, and how did he reach this status?
John Madden’s Legendary Coaching Career
Madden first became a household name as a legendary coach. He served as the head coach of the Oakland Raiders from 1969 to 1978.
During his tenure, Madden guided the Raiders to 10 straight winning seasons and never posted fewer than eight victories. His debut season saw a 12-1-1 record, and after a 10-win campaign in 1972, the Raiders recorded at least 11 wins every year from 1974 through 1978.
Madden’s most successful campaign with the Raiders came in 1976, when he guided them to a 13-1 regular season record and a 32-14 victory over the Minnesota Vikings and legendary head coach Bud Grant in Super Bowl XI. Wideout Fred Biletnikoff earned Super Bowl MVP honors in the victory.
Madden shocked the football world by retiring after the 1978 season, one of only two years the Raiders missed the postseason under his leadership. Just 42 at the time, he cited health concerns and coaching burnout as the driving forces behind his decision.
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He wrapped up his NFL head coaching career with a remarkable 112-39-7 record, including a 9-7 postseason mark. That translates to a 75.9% regular-season winning rate and a 70.9% overall winning percentage.
Among coaches with at least 50 games on the sideline, Madden’s regular-season winning percentage ranks second in league history. The only coach ahead of him is Guy Chamberlin, who posted a 58-16-7 record from 1922 to 1927 while leading four different teams.
Madden’s Post-Coaching Days
However, Madden’s coaching tenure was only the start of his rise to prominence. He joined CBS as a color commentator in 1979 and quickly rose to become part of the network’s top football broadcasting duo alongside Pat Summerall.
He remained with CBS through 1993, when the network lost its NFL rights, and its employees thus became free agents.
Madden then had stints at FOX, ABC, and NBC calling NFL games. The Pro Football Hall of Famer’s voice became synonymous with high-stakes football games. He quickly became beloved for his boisterous exclamations, off-the-wall phrases, and revolutionary use of the telestrator to break down plays.
During his broadcasting run with CBS, Madden partnered with EA Sports on the NFL video game franchise that still carries his name. He contributed his voice, football expertise, and creative direction to the early “John Madden Football” titles, which eventually evolved into “Madden NFL.”
For many younger fans, that iconic video game series is how Madden is best recognized today, even more than his coaching or commentary accomplishments.
Madden was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006. He passed away unexpectedly on Dec. 28, 2021, at 85 years old. One year later, the NFL unveiled a league-wide tribute to ensure his legacy continues to be celebrated.
NFL Launches John Madden Thanksgiving Celebration
In 2022, the NFL announced that the league would honor Madden with the “John Madden Thanksgiving Celebration.”
“There’s no place that I would rather be today on Thanksgiving than right here, right now, at a football game,” Madden once said, prompting this honor.
The John Madden Thanksgiving Celebration is an event meant to celebrate his legacy and bring together all the things that were important to him: family, football, food, tradition, and fun.
In 2024, FOX, CBS, and NBC will have Madden tributes interspersed throughout each Thanksgiving game. The following video will kick off each broadcast, conveying what Thanksgiving meant to Madden in his own words.
Each network will select a Madden Thanksgiving MVP who will receive a $10,000 donation from the NFL Foundation to be given to a high school or youth football program in their name, as the topic of youth football was important to Madden.
Last year, for the first time, each Madden Thanksgiving MVP received the new Madden Thanksgiving MVP Trophy, created to honor Madden and his deep connection to the holiday. Designed in the shape of a pylon, the award features several classic “Maddenisms” and subtle Thanksgiving-themed elements throughout, making it a unique tribute to one of football’s most iconic figures.
The NFL will benefit the newly created John Madden Foundation by auctioning off game-used items from the three Thanksgiving Day games via NFL Auction, with proceeds supporting the new foundation.
Additionally, the NFL introduced special game-day elements to honor Madden. A custom coin featuring his silhouette on one side and a six-legged turducken on the other will be used for every coin toss. Players in all three games will also wear a commemorative jersey patch with Madden’s silhouette, and each field will include unique John Madden Thanksgiving Celebration stencils.
The tribute extends beyond the stadiums as well. Westwood One and SiriusXM NFL Radio are rolling out Thanksgiving-week programming dedicated to Madden’s legacy, his love for the holiday, and his impact on football.