History of John Madden in Timeline
John Madden was a highly successful NFL coach and commentator. He coached the Oakland Raiders from 1969 to 1978, achieving a Super Bowl victory and a remarkable winning record. He never had a losing season and holds the highest winning percentage among coaches with at least 100 games. Madden is remembered as a legendary figure in NFL history for his coaching achievements.
April 10, 1936: John Madden's Birth
On April 10, 1936, John Earl Madden was born in Austin, Minnesota, to Earl Russell Madden and Mary (née Flaherty) Madden.
August 1959: Career-Ending Injury
In August 1959, during his first training camp with the Philadelphia Eagles, John Madden sustained a knee injury during a scrimmage, prematurely ending his playing career before he could play in a regulation game professionally.
December 26, 1959: Marriage to Virginia Fields
On December 26, 1959, John Madden married Virginia Fields at St. Mary of the Assumption in Santa Maria, California.
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.
1960: 1960 airline crash
The entrance of the Cal Poly football facility will be adjacent to the university's memorial for the 1960 airline crash victims.
1972: Appearance in Paul Simon's "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard" music video
In 1972, John Madden appeared in Paul Simon's music video for "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard", attempting to teach football to kids.
January 4, 1979: Madden Announces Retirement
On January 4, 1979, John Madden announced his retirement from coaching due to a troublesome ulcer and occupational burnout, ending his coaching career permanently.
1979: First Panic Attack on a Flight
In 1979, John Madden had his first panic attack on a flight originating in Tampa, Florida, and never flew on a plane again.
1982: Hosting Saturday Night Live
In 1982, John Madden hosted an episode of NBC's Saturday Night Live with musical guest Jennifer Holliday.
1984: Initial Planning Conversations with Electronic Arts
During initial planning conversations with Electronic Arts founder Trip Hawkins in 1984, John Madden envisioned the Madden NFL program as an educational tool for teaching and testing football plays.
1984: Creation of the "All-Madden" Team
In 1984, John Madden, influenced by John Robinson, created the "All-Madden" team to recognize players embodying his football ideals.
1987: Greyhound Lines supplies Madden with 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: Launch of John Madden Football Series
Starting in 1988, John Madden began lending his name, voice, and creative input to the John Madden Football series of video games.
January 23, 1994: Final CBS Telecast with Summerall
On January 23, 1994, John Madden and Pat Summerall called their final CBS telecast together, which was the 1993 NFC Championship Game. Madden remarked that even though CBS was losing the NFL, they would always have the memories.
1994: 10th Anniversary All-Madden team
In 1994, John Madden created a special 10th Anniversary All-Madden team.
1997: Creation of the All-Madden Super Bowl Team
In 1997, John Madden created an All-Madden Super Bowl Team.
1999: Appearance on "The Simpsons"
In 1999, John Madden appeared in an episode of The Simpsons, "Sunday, Cruddy Sunday".
2000: Creation of the 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 to provide transportation for Peggy Fleming after the September 11 attacks.
2001: End of All-Madden Team Selection & Move to ABC
In 2001, John Madden stopped picking the All-Madden team when he moved to ABC and Monday Night Football.
February 1, 2009: Madden Calls 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: Madden Announces Retirement from Broadcasting
On April 16, 2009, John Madden officially announced his retirement from the broadcasting booth.
2009: Madden's Retirement as a Broadcaster
Despite retiring as a broadcaster in 2009, John Madden continued his involvement with the Madden NFL video game series.
2012: Madden's View on Madden NFL 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".
June 2016: Bocce Tournament Raised $5 Million
As of June 2016, John Madden's bocce tournament, co-hosted with Steve Mariucci, had raised $5 million for charity.
2018: Donation of the Original Madden Cruiser to the Pro Football Hall of Fame
In 2018, John Madden donated the original Madden Cruiser to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, where it was restored to its original condition.
September 2021: Madden Funds Scholarships to Cal Poly
Starting in September 2021, John Madden began funding six scholarships to his alma mater, Cal Poly, for students graduating from various East Bay high schools.
December 25, 2021: Fox Network Presents "All Madden" Documentary
On December 25, 2021, Fox premiered "All Madden", a documentary about Madden's career, featuring NFL players, before a game between the Cleveland Browns and Green Bay Packers.
December 28, 2021: John Madden's Death
On December 28, 2021, John Madden passed away, marking the end of an era for the legendary coach and commentator.
2021: Death of John Madden
Up until his death in 2021, John Madden continued to lend his name and creative input to the Madden NFL series.
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 Cal Poly Football Facility
In October 2022, John Madden donated a leading contribution toward a total $30-million football facility on the Cal Poly campus.
2029: Anticipated Opening of Cal Poly Football Facility
The Cal Poly football facility is anticipated to open in 2029.
