The game of football has lost a legendary figure.
Pro Football Hall of Fame coach, legendary broadcaster, lender of his namesake and endorser of Electronic Arts largest football video game franchise, Madden NFL, John Madden died unexpectedly on Tuesday morning, the league announced. He was 85 years old.
“On behalf of the entire NFL family, we extend our condolences to Virginia, Mike, Joe and their families,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. “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.
“Nobody loved football more than Coach. He was football. He was an incredible sounding board to me and so many others. There will never be another John Madden, and we will forever be indebted to him for all he did to make football and the NFL what it is today.”
Around The NFL will have more on this story shortly.
