John Madden's importance to the Raiders franchise is immeasurable. After all, he was the one who brought the then Oakland Raiders their first World Championship in football.
So when news about Madden's sudden passing surfaced on Tuesday, the franchise mourned and honored one of the greatest sports figures in the history of the game.
The Las Vegas Raiders released an official statement to address the passing of the coaching and broadcast icon, all while commemorating the achievements he had with the team and the NFL.
“The Raiders Family is deeply saddened by the passing of the legendary John Madden.
“Few individuals meant as much to the growth and popularity of professional football as Coach Madden, whose impact on the game both on and off the field was immeasurable.
Aside from bringing the team's first Super Bowl, John Madden also never had a losing season with the Raiders from 1969 to 1978–during which they won seven division titles and made the playoffs eight times. He accumulated a 103-32-7 regular season record in 10 seasons with the franchise.
Madden was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a coach in 2006, with former Raiders coach and exec Al Davis calling him “A brilliant coach. A loyal and trusted friend. A Raider.”
Several people in the sports world joined the NFL in mourning the passing of Madden and honoring his legacy. For one, NBA superstar LeBron James vowed to keep his legacy alive.
Rest in peace, John Madden!
Follow Us
Subscribe