Social Media Reacts To The Passing Of Football Icon John Madden

On Wednesday the football world learned the passing of iconic football coach, television broadcaster, and video game inspiration John Madden at the age of 85.

Madden first rose to prominence as the head coach of the Oakland Raiders from 1969-1978, winning Super Bowl XI in 1977.

Over the course of his ten seasons in Oakland, Madden’s teams went 103-32-7 in the regular season for a winning percentage of .759%, the best to this day among NFL coaches with more than 100 games. Additionally, the Raiders appeared in seven AFC Championship games over that ten-year span. In 2006, Madden was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Following his head coaching career, Madden built a second successful career as an NFL color commentator on television from 1979-2009 across multiple major networks. He covered 11 Super Bowls and won 16 Emmy Awards for his work.

For Patriots fans, he might be best remembered for his commentary on FOX during the team’s first-ever Super Bowl championship win against the St. Louis Rams.

https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/1476334969135910914?s=20

As Madden’s television commentary became a success post-coaching, he later became the inspiration and namesake for the Electronic Arts football video game series that continues to come out every year to this day. He even lent his voice to “Madden NFL” for numerous editions.

Thanks, Coach pic.twitter.com/wnv8W1pIjJ

— EA SPORTS (@EASPORTS) December 29, 2021

With word of his passing making its way around the NFL community, members of the Patriots organization, both past and present shared their reactions to the loss of one of the most renowned “football guys”.

Head coach Bill Belichick and Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft each shared statements.

“We all set out to try to have a good professional career, and John had about five of them.”

Bill Belichick’s full remarks on John Madden. pic.twitter.com/sEPjmrpqzZ

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) December 29, 2021

Statement from Robert Kraft on the passing of John Madden. pic.twitter.com/1baOj3VrrV

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) December 29, 2021

I hope John & Pat are calling a game somewhere

— chris long (@JOEL9ONE) December 29, 2021

When you think NFL football, you think John Madden.

RIP to a Legend. pic.twitter.com/8JYH7H9GKW

— Julian Edelman (@Edelman11) December 29, 2021

https://twitter.com/McCourtyTwins/status/1475997579901034499?s=20

Dang RIP John Madden

— Adrian Phillips (@Phillips_17) December 29, 2021

Tom Brady with condolences to John Madden on Instagram pic.twitter.com/Mlmd5VzlXs

— Producer Derrick (@DerrickWilland) December 29, 2021

So sad to hear of the passing of one of football’s true legends, John Madden. He added so much to the history of the game, not only as a coach but also as a commentator & ambassador. Grew up watching him call games & later had the honor of meeting him. Prayers to his loved ones.

— Matt Cassel (@M_Cassel16) December 29, 2021