John Madden Photos — Honoring The NFL Icon After His Death At 85

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December 29, 2021 9:40AM EST

See photos of John Madden, the beloved former head coach of the Oakland Raiders, NFL broadcaster, and voice of Madden NFL series of football video games.

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John Madden

John Madden
Ben Margot/AP/Shutterstock

A legend remembered. John Madden is synonymous with football for generations of people, old and young.

A football star in high school, John went on to play college football before being drafted in the 21st round by the Philadelphia Eagles in 1958. He then, however, suffered a knee injury, ending his playing career before he got to play professionally. It was perhaps for the best since he then went on to gain fame as the head coach for the Oakland Raiders in a decade-long stint, bringing the team to seven AFC title games and winning the Super Bowl following the 1976 season. 

After retiring prematurely as a coach at age 42, Madden became even more of a household name as a broadcaster starting in 1979 and retiring in 2009, winning 16 Emmy Awards for his work. He also became a famous pitchman, selling beer, restaurants, and hardware, and also lent his voice and personality to the Madden NFL series of football video games.

“I’m the luckiest guy in the world,” Madden once said. “I never really had a job. I was a football player, then a football coach, then a football broadcaster. It’s been my life. Pro football has been my life since 1967. I’ve enjoyed every part of it. Never once did it ever feel like work.” 

John Madden speaks about former quarterback Ken Stabler at a ceremony honoring Stabler during halftime of an NFL football game between the Raiders and the Cincinnati Bengals in Oakland, CA. 

Click through to see photos of the legendary coach’s life.

December 28, 2021, 9:45PM
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John Madden Celebrates Super Bowl XI Win

John Madden Celebrates Super Bowl XI Win
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John Madden, then coach of the Oaklan Raiders, is carried from the field by his players after his team defeated the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl XI in Pasadena, CA, Jan. 9, 1977. The coach brought the team to seven AFC title games before winning the top NFL prize. 

The football legend passed away on Dec. 28, 2021. The Raiders organization released a statement upon John’s death in 2021, saying, “The Raiders Family is deeply saddened by the passing of the legendary John Madden. Few individuals meant as much to the growth and popularity of professional football as Coach Madden, whose impact on the game both on and off the field was immeasurable.”

December 28, 2021, 9:45PM
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John Madden Honors Late Quarterback Ken Stabler

John Madden Honors Late Quarterback Ken Stabler
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John Madden speaks before unveiling a Pro Football Hall of Fame bust for former quarterback Ken Stabler. The former Raiders coach honored Stabler at a ceremony during halftime of a game between the Oakland Raiders and the Atlanta Falcons in Oakland, CA.

One of John’s famous quotes was the enigmatic nugget, “When you’re playing good football, it’s good football and if you don’t have good football, then you’re not really playing good football.”

December 28, 2021, 9:45PM
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John Madden At A Ceremony Honoring Ray Guy

John Madden At A Ceremony Honoring Ray Guy
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John Madden waves during a ceremony honoring former punter Ray Guy’s induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The ceremony was held during halftime of an NFL game between the Raiders and the Kansas City Chiefs in Oakland, CA. 

Offering advice to young players, he once said, “Self-praise is for losers. Be a winner. Stand for something. Always have class and be humble.”

December 28, 2021, 9:45PM
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John Madden Smiles After His Team Defeats The Kansas City Chiefs

John Madden Smiles After His Team Defeats The Kansas City Chiefs
Anonymous/AP/Shutterstock

Then coach of the Oakland Raiders John Madden is all smiles after his team defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 10-6 to win the Western Division Championship in Oakland, CA. Wide receiver Drew Buie (89) celebrates with Madden who was in his first year as head coach.

At the time of John’s passing NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said, “Nobody loved football more than Coach. He was football. He was an incredible sounding board to me and so many others. 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.”

December 28, 2021, 9:45PM
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John Madden Speaks At The Academy Of Television Arts & Sciences

John Madden Speaks At The Academy Of Television Arts & Sciences
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John Madden speaks onstage at the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences 22nd Annual Hall of Fame Gala at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on in Beverly Hills, CA. The head coach-turned-broadcaster made a serious name for himself on television with his involvement in the sports world from 1979-2009. 

John once joked, “I’ve always said that winning is the great deodorant. Conversely, when you have a bad record, everything stinks.”

December 28, 2021, 9:45PM
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John Madden Honored In Oakland

John Madden Honored In Oakland
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Willie Brown, John Madden, and Rod Woodson are honored during a 2012 NFL football game in Oakland, CA. The three men were all involved with the Oakland Raiders. 

At John’s Hall Of Fame induction, he said, “Today feels like the second time in my life that I’m being carried off the shoulders of others. Yet instead of off the field, it’s into the Hall of Fame. Instead of five or six guys today, I ride on the shoulders of hundreds of friends, coaches, players, colleagues, family. I just say this, I thank you all very much. This has been the sweetest ride of ’em all.”

December 28, 2021, 9:45PM