It never gets easier for Raider Nation after losing Raider legends to the passage of time. The list goes on, with so many of them having left us in the last few years, but on this date in 2021, fans lost coaching legend John Madden. Arguably, the greatest head coach in Raiders history (and one of the best in league history) passed away in his home in Pleasanton, CA, just days after Christmas. It was undoubtedly a major loss to the football community.
A True Raiders Original
Madden’s impact on the game of football has transcended generations. As a coach, he was one of the most successful, retiring with little to no blemishes on his record, and of course, he did so while on top. More importantly, he left the Raiders in position to continue their dominance in the ’80s, seamlessly transitioning to another Hall of Fame coach, Tom Flores. Madden then went on to help revolutionize the game beyond the gridiron, putting his stamp on a series of video games that, in their own way, educated an entire generation. To this day, the Madden football video game franchise remains one of the most successful in history.
John Madden, The Voice Of Pro Football
It also goes without saying that many of us grew up with John Madden and Pat Sumerall as the voices of the game. This would reveal my age group, but who can also forget his cameo in Little Giants, where another Raiders legend made his presence known? We’re referring to Hall of Fame wide receiver Tim Brown in case you’re not familiar with the film.
There’s no doubt that Raider Nation misses Coach Madden, but on his one-year anniversary, let’s remember him for his greatness. We’ll leave you with a few quotes from him that have endured the test of time and continue to be relevant.
“If a guy doesn’t work hard and doesn’t play well, he can’t lead anything. All he is, is a talker.”
“The only yardstick for success our society has is being a champion. No one remembers anything else.”
“Self-praise is for losers. Be a winner. Stand for something. Always have class and be humble.”
*Top Photo: Bally Sports
