John Madden dies at 85: Remembering the life of an NFL legend
Pro Football Hall of Fame coach and broadcasting legend John Madden died Tuesday at the age of 85. Beloved by many, Madden's influence on football went far beyond the field or the booth and will be cemented in culture and sports history forever.
PHOTOS: Madden throughout the years
WATCH: Madden's impact on generations of people cannot be overstated
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A beautiful football life
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones shared a fitting tribute: "There is no one who lived a more beautiful football life than John Madden."
"I am not aware of anyone who has made a more meaningful impact on the National Football League than John Madden, and I know of no one who loved the game more," Jones continued in a statement. "This is a loss that is as big as the legacy that John Madden created. A legacy of love. Love for family, for football and for life."
Hall of Fame Raiders coach Tom Flores reflected on his time working for John Madden in Oakland in the 1970s.
"Roll up your sleeves and go to work," Flores told Paste BN Sports by phone Tuesday night. "John was a good coach. He was a working man’s coach.
CHRISTINE BRENNAN: Bus rides with John Madden during his broadcast career meant learning plays and plenty of food
MIKE FREEMAN: John Madden will live forever because his influence was so great
JARRETT BELL: Remembering John Madden the NFL icon, broadcaster, hotel owner and friend
All Madden
Fox Sports aired a documentary about John Madden's life and legacy on Christmas Day, but the film has taken on new meaning after the football legend died three days later.
Madden spent the holiday surrounded by friends and family watching "All Madden," a tribute directors Tom Rinaldi and Joel Santos describe as a "love letter" to the Pro Football Hall of Famer's life and legacy.
"John asked to see it," Santos told Paste BN Sports during a joint interview with Rinaldi on Wednesday. "It was our wish to make it a gift for him and his family on Christmas Day."
HOW TO WATCH: 'All Madden' available to stream and will re-air on TV
More on John Madden's legacy
- Madden was the third choice of Trip Hawkins, the eventual founder of video game maker Electronic Arts (EA), to be the pitchman of the game that eventually became Madden NFL.
- From the famous Thanksgiving Turducken to hosting Saturday Night Live, Madden entertained with his authentic, loud and friendly demeaner.
- John Madden had an unbelievable way with words. Here is a collection of his best quotes.
- Whether you knew him as a coach, commentator or video game pioneer, John Madden likely impacted your life in some fashion. Paste BN Sports' Mike Jones looks back at the legacy left behind by the Hall of Famer.
- NFL fans celebrate John Madden's life with clips from his legendary broadcasting career