To newer fans of the NFL, John Madden is probably best-known for being the name behind the iconic video-game franchise. Those with a little gray popping up in their hair know that Madden first made his name as a legendary NFL coach and then color commentator.
Those with even more gray know that even further back, Madden was a football player. Fans of the video-game franchise will be able to experience that with a newly released update to “Madden NFL 23.”
The broadcasting icon will actually be a playable character.
Here’s some interesting trivia about Madden, and if it ever comes in handy, please remember who brought it to your attention:
Madden was a standout offensive tackle at Cal Poly in 1957 and 1958, and he was so good in his junior season that he was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 21st round of the 1958 NFL Draft, which actually happened months before his senior season at Cal Poly. Madden still played his senior season at left tackle for Cal Poly and was in training camp with the Eagles in August 1959 when he suffered a knee injury — which effectively ended his NFL playing career before he even played one snap.
The big left tackle then got into coaching, starting his career as an assistant coach at Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria, California. He eventually worked his way up the ladder to defensive coordinator at San Diego State and then moved to the NFL, where he became a linebackers coach for the Oakland Raiders in 1967. Madden became head coach of the Raiders in 1969 and never looked back. He was an NFL head coach for 10 seasons, all with the Raiders.
He retired from coaching with a 112-39-7 all-time record. He led the Raiders to a Super Bowl win in 1977.
Madden joined CBS as a color commentator in 1979, and the rest is history.
