By Jeremy Kahn

photo credit: Sporting News former head coach Oak Raiders John Madden

John Madden may have coached the Oakland Raiders from 1969-1978, but still nearly 37 years after coaching his last game for the Raiders, the former coach remains a popular figure all over the country.

Madden, who became a top commentator for CBS and FOX with the late Pat Summerall from 1981-2001, before heading to ABC to work Monday Night Football with Al Michaels in 2002 and then the duo moved to Sunday Night to work for NBC. Madden retired from the booth after the 2009 booth, but still can be heard on KCBS in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Earlier this week, the 79-year old Madden underwent Open-Heart surgery at a San Francisco hospital and is recuperating at home.

Madden is still a popular figure, as his legendary video game is still one of the most popular games on the market and he still attends Raiders games along with current team owner Mark Davis and many of his former players.