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NFL Icon John Madden Has Died At 85

NFL Icon John Madden Has Died At 85

The Hall of Fame coach has been described as irreplaceable and 'we will forever be indebted to him for all he did'.

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie

NFL icon John Madden has died at the age of 85.

The sport's commissioner explained how the legend defined the very essence of American Football.

Roger Goodell said: "On behalf of the entire NFL family, we extend our condolences to Virginia, Mike, Joe and their families.

"We all know him as the Hall of Fame coach of the Oakland Raiders and broadcaster who worked for every major network, but more than anything, he was a devoted husband, father and grandfather.

"Nobody loved football more than Coach. He was football. He was an incredible sounding board to me and so many others.

"There will never be another John Madden, and we will forever be indebted to him for all he did to make football and the NFL what it is today."

Madden played college football before being drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 21st round of the 1958 NFL draft.

He suffered a devastating leg injury before his career could kick off and he then turned his sights to coaching.

John started with Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria, Califorina and San Diego State.

He was a Hall of Fame coach with the Oakland Raiders in the 1970s and spent three decades being one of the NFL's best broadcaster.

John's name has even been passed down to the most current generation after his last name was used for the NFL video game franchise.

Featured Image Credit: Stan Szeto/Cal Sport Media/Alamy Live News

Topics: SPORT, News, NFL