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How did John Madden die? Fans recall sportscaster as 'greatest coach' amid death at 85

John Madden won 16 Emmy Awards for outstanding sports analyst/personality, and for covering 11 Super Bowls for four different networks

Iconic football coach and one of the most prolific NFL broadcasters John Madden died on Tuesday, December 28, 2021. He was 85. The sad news of the Hall of Fame coach’s demise was announced by NFL on social media. Madden, who was the youngest head coach in pro football, is survived by his wife Virginia, and his two sons, Joseph and Michael. Speaking about John Madden’s death, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement, as reported by TMZ, “Nobody loved football more than Coach. He was football. He was an incredible sounding board to me and so many others.”
 
Goodell added, “There will never be another John Madden, and we will forever be indebted to him for all he did to make football and the NFL what it is today." Social media users flocked to Twitter to pay their final respects while also remembering his partnership with late broadcaster Pat Summerall. Speaking of recent celebrity deaths, we lost actress Lisa Banes in a hit-and-run accident involving an e-scooter. The 'Deliverance' star Ned Beatty too left us for the heavenly abode. Other celebrities that we lost in the last few months include Chick Vennera, DMX, Jay Black, Jeanette Maus, and a few others.
 
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How did John Madden die?

John Madden died unexpectedly on December 28. NFL released an official statement where they did not detail the cause of his death. John Madden was born in Austin, Minnesota, to Earl Madden and Mary Madden in 1936. John Madden won Super Bowl XI as head coach of the Oakland Raiders. And, after his retirement, he got famous for his commentary for NFL telecasts with Pat Summerall. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in the year 2006.
 
Interestingly, Madden worked for as a color analyst for all four major networks: CBS (1979–1993), Fox (1994–2001), ABC (2002–2005), and NBC (2006–2008). He hanged up his boots from broadcasting after the 2008 NFL season. Speaking on his death, Hall of Fame President Jim Porter in a statement said, as reported by ESPN, “Few, if any, have had as great an impact on the sport of professional football on so many different levels as Coach Madden” adding, “He was first and foremost a coach. He was a coach on the field, a coach in the broadcast booth and a coach in life.” He concluded, “The Hall of Fame will forever guard Coach Madden's legacy. The Hall of Fame flag will be flown at half-staff in his memory." John Madden won 16 Emmy Awards for outstanding sports analyst/personality, and for covering 11 Super Bowls for four networks from 1979-2009.

‘He’ll be remembered as the greatest coach of all time’

Social media users mourned the death of the legendary sports broadcaster as they bid him final goodbye on Twitter. “RIP to a legend of the gaming world. He may have been a great man of the sport but for me he will forever be etched into the fabric of videogames. For me that is even more significant. John Madden Football and latterly, Madden NFL were archetypal and pivotal franchises. Legend”, said one user as another mentioned, “He’ll be remembered as the greatest coach of all time.” One user stated, “Nowadays you turn on an NFL game and you mute half of it. When I was a kid John Madden and Pat Summerall drew you into the game and kept you there. Glued to the screen like every game was a special event. He was one of a kind.”
 
The next one posted, “John Madden and Pat Summerall finally reunited. Anyone who didn’t grow up hearing these guys call games really missed out.” One added, “Such sad news to hear about the passing of football legend John Madden. Madden and Pat Summerall were the best in the business when it came to NFL coverage. It was something special if they were calling the game for your team on Sunday. RIP Madden.” One user concluded, “So sad to hear this. Such a fan of his-Growing up in my era it was Pat Summerall & John Madden on Sunday. No matter who your team was-changed the game of how football games were broadcasted. Legend as a coach and a broadcaster-My thoughts & prayers with his family & friends.”