John Madden passed away yesterday. People outside the United States may not know this exuberant and larger than life man. But, he was a superb professional football coach, a groundbreaking football announcer and an innovator in a football video game.
He made the game simple for us without talking down to his audience. He was colorful with his sounds and drawings to define what was happening. And, people loved it – but they loved him more. He did not use arcane terms to define things and just told you what was happening and how it happened.
Fellow announcers, coaches and players have all described how genuine he was. Three stories can shed light on this. One of the things that precipitated his retirement was a vicious hit one of his players made on an opponent named Daryl Stingley which paralyzed him. This kind of hit is now illegal in football as the intent is to injure. Madden visited Stingley daily in the hospital as the injury occurred in Madden’s home city.
Another story is Madden was scared to fly. So, he would travel across the country in a Winnebago leaving days before a game. Madden would visit with people along the way. This endeared him even more. He was truly an everyday person.
The final story is he was a player’s coach. He told you what was expected of you – show up for practice, pay attention and play hard. Those were his rules. He did not care about what you looked like or wore. No dress codes, just play and practice hard. One of my favorite lines of his is “In my experience, when you practice well, you usually play well in the game.”
It was said Madden was well-read and did his homework for each game. Fellow announcers would commend him on well he knew the players in the game he was announcing. The time on the road allowed for this.
Madden may not have looked the part, but he truly was s class act.
musingsofanoldfart 
What a very ‘human’ story, Keith. Thank you for broadening my world.
Thanks Steve. I was thinking how the renowned chef, Emeril, talks on his show. To me, he is emulating John Madden as how he talked on TV to define a football game. Keith
Note to Readers: Two more things about Madden. He and his team owner, Al Davis, were known for acquiring talented players that did not fit in on other teams. They would flourish under the fewer rules style. The other is his team’s were known for attacking the defense when they had the ball – they would throw deep down the field to soften the defense and then periodically pound them with a strong running game. It was fun to watch.
I always admired Madden Keith. A legend, as well as an overall good and decent guy. He’ll be missed! That Stingley hit, btw? Being that it was a pre-season game made it all the more despicable. Good on Madden for showing his concern for Stingley and his family.
Thanks Jeff. I had forgotten it was a preseason game. Thanks for the reminder.
Well known over here for his name being on the video game, even if it was a bit alien to us. Sorry to hear of the passing of a good guy.
Clive, I was unaware of its reach. He was indeed a good guy. Keith
The game has been a good seller here, probably to people like me trying to understand it!
Clive, just don’t ask me to explain rugby or cricket. Keith
I concur with Clive. When the UK had a brief deep flirtation with American Football Madden’s name became known, though here he did obtain lasting fame through computer games which bore his name. Always seemed to be well received by the UK games community, even if they didn’t know much about the actual game.
Roger, they seem to still have a few well attended NFL pro games each year in the UK. Good to see. Keith
Back in the late 1980s early 1990s there were some attempts to start up local teams, but because soccer and rugby were entrenched there weren’t sufficient crowds.
However interest has continued, the TV networks broadcast games from the USA (highlights mostly), and as you say visiting teams from the NFL attract crowds.
Mostly watch and enjoy, but not play.
Sheila laments that outside of subscription channels there’s little coverage of baseball, her favourite.
Roger, interesting. Football is becoming a gladiator sport due to the head trauma injuries, so people with options are not playing. The movie “Concussion” is excellent starring Will Smith on the NFL CTE injuries.
I did not realize there are baseball fans in the UK to any extent. Is Sheila an outlier or does it have a following? Keith
Note to Readers: I am watching a documentary called “All Madden.” Let me correct the above reference – Madden rode cross country in a retrofitted Greyhound Bus. His first bus was a loaner from Dolly Parton. I thought that was cool. His bus driver was with him 24 years and loved every minute of it. He said John took the time to visit with people.