John Madden, the legendary NFL coach and broadcaster, died in late 2021 at the age of 85.
His death
John Madden passed away unexpectedly on December 28, 2021, at his home in Pleasanton, California, as announced by the NFL and confirmed by his family representatives. Some reports attribute his death to a heart-related issue, but the league’s formal announcement described the cause only as unexpected and did not give a specific medical detail.
Who he was
Madden was best known as the Super Bowl–winning head coach of the Oakland Raiders in the 1970s and later as a hugely influential television commentator who helped popularize NFL broadcasts for decades. He also lent his name and voice to the long-running “Madden NFL” video game series, which introduced generations of fans to the sport’s strategy and players.
How he is remembered today
The NFL continues to honor Madden’s legacy, especially around Thanksgiving, a holiday closely associated with his broadcasts and traditions like the “turducken.” Recent Thanksgiving games have featured John Madden patches on player jerseys, special coin toss designs, and MVP trophies and charitable donations given in his name, along with ongoing support of the John Madden Foundation.
