John Madden (right) featured in Super Bowl 50 photo in the CBS booth with play by play announcer Pat Sommerall (You Tube file photo)
By Rich Perez
Las Vegas Raiders beat writer
LAS VEGAS–Called by many the greatest broadcaster ever and Hall of Fame football coach John Madden passed away at age 85 today. His death was unexpected he passed away Tuesday morning.
The NFL released a statement from commissioner Roger Goodall: “On behalf of the entire NFL family, we extend our condolences to Virginia, Mike, Joe and their families, we all know him as the Hall of Fame coach of the Oakland Raiders and broadcaster who worked for every major network, but more than anything, he was a devoted husband, father and grandfather.” Madden and his wife Virginia just celebrated their 62nd anniversary on Sunday.
There has not been a date set for a memorial service. Madden resided in Pleasanton, Madden was head coach at the Oakland Raiders from 1969-78 and won the Super Bowl in 1976 the Raiders lost only one game that season going 13-1.
Madden had a coaching career record of 103-32-7 and got the Raiders to the post season ten times going 9-7. In 2006 Madden went into the NFL Hall of Fame and was just 42 when he became a broadcaster doing color in 1979 on CBS first working with Pat Sommerall, after CBS Madden went onto to work with Al Michaels on ABC Monday Night Football. Madden retired in 2008.
He voiced over video games “Madden NFL” which began in 1988 and “John Madden Football.” Madden while head coach at the Raiders was such a huge landscape for Bay Area sports and was well loved in post game press conferences by journalists and reporters for his comments and great football insight.
Sports Radio Service 