History of John Madden in Timeline
John Madden was a highly successful American football coach and commentator. As head coach of the Oakland Raiders from 1969-1978, he achieved a remarkable record, never experiencing a losing season and boasting the highest winning percentage among NFL coaches with at least 100 games coached. He led the Raiders to eight playoff appearances, seven division titles, and a Super Bowl XI victory. Madden holds the record for the most wins as head coach in Raiders history with 103 wins. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest coaches in NFL history.
April 10, 1936: John Madden Born
On April 10, 1936, John Earl Madden was born in Austin, Minnesota. He became a celebrated football coach and commentator.
1950: Graduated from Our Lady of Perpetual Help
In 1950, John Madden graduated from Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic parochial school with John Robinson.
1954: Graduated from Jefferson High School
In 1954, John Madden graduated from Jefferson High School.
1954: Played at the College of San Mateo
In 1954, John Madden played one season at the College of San Mateo before receiving a football scholarship to the University of Oregon.
1955: Attended the College of San Mateo
In 1955, John Madden attended the College of San Mateo.
1956: Played at Grays Harbor College
In the fall of 1956, John Madden played football at Grays Harbor College.
1957: All-Coast Second Team Selection
During the 1957 season, John Madden was selected by United Press International for Little All-Coast Second Team accolades following his junior season. During the 1957 season, Madden caught a pass from future fellow Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee, then-teammate and Cal Poly quarterback, Bobby Beathard.
1957: Played at Cal Poly
In 1957, John Madden played both offense and defense for the Mustangs at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo.
October 1958: Suffered a Collarbone Injury
In October 1958, John Madden's senior year at Cal Poly was cut short due to a season-ending collarbone injury suffered while making a tackle against Long Beach State.
1958: Played at Cal Poly
In 1958, John Madden continued to play both offense and defense for the Mustangs at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo.
January 3, 1959: Played in the All-American Bowl
On January 3, 1959, John Madden played in the All-American Bowl in Tucson, Arizona.
August 1959: Ended Playing Career Due to Injury
In August 1959, John Madden suffered an injury on his other knee in his first training camp with the Philadelphia Eagles, ending his playing career.
December 26, 1959: Marriage to Virginia Fields
On December 26, 1959, John Madden married Virginia Fields in Santa Maria, California.
1959: Earned Bachelor of Science in Education
In 1959, John Madden earned a Bachelor of Science in education from Cal Poly.
October 29, 1960: California Polytechnic State University football team plane crash
On October 29, 1960, John Madden lost people close to him in the California Polytechnic State University football team plane crash that claimed the lives of 16 players, the team's student manager, and a football booster.
1960: Assistant Coach at Allan Hancock College
In 1960, John Madden became an assistant coach at Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria, California.
1961: Earned Master of Arts in Education
In 1961, John Madden earned a Master of Arts in education from Cal Poly.
1962: Promoted to Head Coach
In 1962, John Madden was promoted to head coach at Allan Hancock College.
1963: Bulldogs Ranked No. 9 Nationally
In 1963, John Madden's Allan Hancock College Bulldogs were ranked No. 9 nationally among city colleges.
1966: Defensive Assistant Coach at San Diego State
In 1966, John Madden's final campaign as a defensive assistant coach at San Diego State, the Aztecs were ranked among the top small colleges in the country.
1967: Linebackers Coach for Oakland Raiders
In 1967, John Madden was hired by Al Davis as linebackers coach for the AFL's Oakland Raiders.
February 4, 1969: Named Head Coach of the Oakland Raiders
On February 4, 1969, John Madden was named the head coach of the Oakland Raiders, becoming the youngest head coach in the AFL/NFL at the time.
1969: Lost AFL Championship Game
In 1969, John Madden's first Raiders squad went 12-1-1 but lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in the last-ever American Football League Championship Game.
1972: Madden appears in Paul Simon's music video
In 1972, John Madden was featured in Paul Simon's music video for the single "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard", in which he attempts to teach football fundamentals to a group of kids playing a pickup game.
1972: "Immaculate Reception" Loss
In 1972, the Raiders lost an AFC divisional round game against the Steelers due to Franco Harris' "Immaculate Reception".
1974: Lost AFC Championship Game
In 1974, after knocking the Miami Dolphins out of the playoffs, the Raiders again lost to the Steelers in the AFC Championship game.
1975: Lost AFC Championship Game Again
In 1975, the Steelers once more ended the Raiders' season one game short of the Super Bowl in the AFC Championship game.
1976: Raiders Reach Super Bowl XI
In 1976, Madden's Raiders defeated the Steelers in the AFC Championship game to reach Super Bowl XI after going 13-1 in the regular season and a controversial victory over the Patriots.
January 9, 1977: Won Super Bowl XI
On January 9, 1977, John Madden won his first and only NFL title with the Oakland Raiders, defeating the Minnesota Vikings 32-14 in Super Bowl XI.
1977: Lost AFC Championship Game
In 1977, The Raiders made the playoffs as a Wild Card team, but lost the AFC Championship Game to the Denver Broncos.
1978: Failed to Qualify for the Playoffs
In 1978, The Raiders enjoyed their tenth straight winning campaign under Madden but failed to qualify for the playoffs.
January 4, 1979: Announced Retirement
On January 4, 1979, John Madden announced his retirement from coaching due to a troublesome ulcer and occupational burnout.
1979: Madden's First Panic Attack on a Flight
In 1979, John Madden had his first panic attack on a flight originating in Tampa, Florida, after which he never flew on a plane again.
1979: Joined CBS as a Color Commentator
In 1979, John Madden joined CBS as a color commentator for NFL telecasts.
1981: Teamed with Pat Summerall
In 1981, John Madden was elevated to CBS's top football broadcasting duo with Pat Summerall, replacing Tom Brookshier.
1982: Madden hosts Saturday Night Live
In 1982, John Madden hosted an episode of NBC's Saturday Night Live with musical guest Jennifer Holliday.
1984: Creation of the "All-Madden" Team
In 1984, John Madden created the "All-Madden" team, a selection of players who, in his opinion, best represented football and played the game with the right spirit.
1984: Initial Planning for John Madden Football
In 1984, John Madden had initial planning conversations with Electronic Arts founder Trip Hawkins, envisioning the John Madden Football program as a tool for teaching and testing plays.
1987: Greyhound supplies Madden with a custom bus
Beginning in 1987, Greyhound Lines supplied John Madden with a custom bus and drivers in exchange for advertising and speaking events, dubbed the Madden Cruiser.
1988: Debut of John Madden Football
In 1988, John Madden lent his name, voice, and creative input to the John Madden Football series of video games by Electronic Arts, later called Madden NFL.
January 23, 1994: Final CBS Telecast with Summerall
On January 23, 1994, Madden told Summerall that while CBS may no longer have the NFL, at least they have the memories, during their final CBS telecast together at the 1993 NFC Championship Game.
1994: Joined Fox's NFL Coverage
In 1994, John Madden and Pat Summerall helped establish Fox's NFL coverage after Fox gained the rights to NFC games.
1994: Creation of 10th Anniversary All-Madden Team
In 1994, John Madden created a special 10th Anniversary All-Madden team.
1997: Began Calling into KCBS Radio
In 1997, John Madden began calling in to radio station KCBS five days a week.
1997: Creation of All-Madden Super Bowl Team
In 1997, John Madden created an All-Madden Super Bowl Team.
1998: Fox's NFL Contract Signed
In 1998, Fox signed an eight-year deal for its NFL contract, which reportedly led to estimated losses towards the end of Madden's tenure.
1999: Madden's appearance on The Simpsons
In 1999, John Madden appeared in an episode of The Simpsons titled "Sunday, Cruddy Sunday".
2000: Creation of All-Time All-Madden team
In 2000, John Madden created an All-Time All-Madden team.
September 11, 2001: Madden provides transportation after 9/11 attacks
On September 11, 2001, John Madden used his bus in New York City after the September 11 attacks to provide transportation for former ice-skating champion Peggy Fleming.
2001: Madden moves to ABC and Monday Night Football
In 2001, John Madden left to move to ABC and Monday Night Football, and stopped picking the All-Madden team.
2002: Commentator on ABC's Monday Night Football
In 2002, John Madden became a commentator on ABC's Monday Night Football, working with Al Michaels.
2002: Stopped Announcing Thanksgiving Day Games
In 2002, John Madden stopped announcing the Thanksgiving Day games after he moved to ABC, but the tradition continued.
2003: Madden's Fox Contract Worth
In 2003, Madden's Fox contract would have been worth $8 million.
2005: Announced as Commentator for NBC's Sunday Night NFL Games
In 2005, Dick Ebersol announced that John Madden would provide color commentary for NBC's Sunday night NFL games, starting with the 2006 season.
2006: Began Commentating for NBC's Sunday Night NFL Games
In 2006, John Madden began providing color commentary for NBC's Sunday night NFL games.
November 2, 2008: Returned to Broadcasting Booth
On November 2, 2008, John Madden returned to the broadcasting booth for a game in Indianapolis after missing one game.
February 1, 2009: Called Final Game
On February 1, 2009, John Madden called his final game, Super Bowl XLIII between the Arizona Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Steelers.
April 16, 2009: Announced Retirement from Broadcasting
On April 16, 2009, John Madden announced his official retirement from the broadcasting booth.
2009: Madden's Broadcasting Retirement
In 2009, despite retiring as a broadcaster, John Madden continued to lend his name and provide creative input to the Madden NFL series.
2012: Madden views the game as an educational tool
In 2012, John Madden stated that Madden NFL was "a way for people to learn the game [of football] and participate in the game at a pretty sophisticated level".
2015: Stopped Calling into KCBS After Heart Surgery
In 2015, John Madden ceased calling into KCBS after heart surgery and other health concerns.
June 2016: Madden's bocce tournament raises money for charities
In June 2016, John Madden's bocce tournament, co-hosted with Steve Mariucci, raised $5 million for Special Olympics Northern California, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, and the Diabetes Youth Foundation.
2017: Returned to KCBS Radio Appearances
In 2017, John Madden began making twice-weekly appearances on KCBS radio again.
August 2018: Stopped Regular Radio Call-ins
In August 2018, John Madden stopped making regular radio call-ins, citing a desire to remove obligations from his schedule.
December 25, 2021: Fox presents All Madden Documentary
On December 25, 2021, the Fox network presented All Madden, a documentary highlighting John Madden's rise to stardom as an NFL coach and broadcaster.
December 28, 2021: John Madden's Death
On December 28, 2021, John Madden, the former NFL coach and commentator, passed away.
2021: Madden Funds Scholarships to Cal Poly
In 2021, John Madden began funding six scholarships to his alma mater, Cal Poly, for students from various East Bay high schools.
2021: Continued legacy until death
Until his death in 2021, John Madden was better known as the face of Madden NFL to contemporary football fans than as a Super Bowl-winning coach and broadcaster.
June 1, 2022: Madden NFL 23 to feature Madden on the cover
On Madden Day, June 1, 2022, it was announced that all editions of Madden NFL 23 would feature John Madden on the cover in tribute of his legacy.
October 2022: Donation towards new football facility
In October 2022, Cal Poly and the Madden family announced that John Madden had donated a leading contribution toward a total $30-million football facility on the Cal Poly campus.
2022: NFL Honors Madden Every Thanksgiving
Beginning in 2022, the NFL honors John Madden every Thanksgiving. The entire tripleheader of games was dubbed the "John Madden Thanksgiving Celebration."
2025: Grandson Hired as Quality Control Coach
In 2025, John Madden's grandson, Jesse, was hired as a quality control coach for the Washington Commanders.
2029: Anticipated opening of John Madden Football Center
It is anticipated that the John Madden Football Center will open in 2029.
Mentioned in this timeline
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