John Madden

Sportcaster • Coach • Football Player

Birth Date: April 10, 1936

Death Date: December 28, 2021 — 85 years old

Birth Place: Austin, Minnesota

Born on April 10, 1936 in Austin, Minn., John Madden was an American football coach and sports commentator in the National Football League (NFL). In 1954, a high school football star, Madden played one season at the College of San Mateo before he was given a football scholarship to the University of Oregon. In 1958, Madden was drafted in the 21st round by the NFL's Philadelphia Eagles. On January 3, 1959, Madden played in the All-American Bowl in Tucson, Arizona. In 1960, Madden became an assistant coach at Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria, California. Following the 1963 season, he was hired as a defensive assistant coach at San Diego State, where he served through 1966.

Madden was hired by Al Davis as linebackers coach for the AFL's Oakland Raiders. From 1969 to 1978, Madden served as the head coach of the Oakland Raiders. Madden joined CBS as a color commentator in 1979. In 1994, Madden helped establish Fox's NFL coverage. In 2002, Madden became a commentator on ABC's "Monday Night Football." On December 25, 2021, the Fox network presented "All Madden," a documentary highlighting Madden's rise to stardom as an NFL coach and broadcaster. On December 28, 2021, John Madden passed away at his home in Pleasanton, Calif., at the age of 85.