John Madden, Face and Voice of the N.F.L. on the Field and in the Broadcast Booth, Dies at 85
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John Madden, the Hall of Fame coach who became one of America’s most recognizable ambassadors of professional football, reaching millions, and generations, from the broadcast booth and through the popular video game that bears his name, died on Tuesday. He was 85.
The National Football League announced his death in a statement that didn’t include the cause. He died at his home in Pleasanton, Calif., his agent, Sandy Montag, said.
In his irrepressible way, and with his distinctive voice, Madden left an imprint on the sport on par with titans like George Halas, Paul Brown and his coaching idol, Vince Lombardi. Madden’s influence, steeped in Everyman sensibilities and studded with wild gesticulations and paroxysms of onomatopoeia — wham! doink! whoosh! — made the N.F.L. more interesting, more relevant and more fun for over 40 years.
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This man did more for American football than anyone else in the history of the sport. Player, coach, broadcaster. His broadcasts are memorable - I still like watching/listening to them on YouTube. Then you have the Madden franchise football game. Which sucks, these days, but it used to the be the greatest sports video game ever.
Sad news. Rest In Peace, coach.