John Madden. Name sound familiar? A lot of people from my generation recognize the last name from the best selling sports video game series in history. Madden football games began in 1988 and have continually sold millions of copies growing its franchise every year. So who is this Madden figure?
A professional gamer... no. An electrical techie geek... no?
What if I told you that John Madden is a Hall of Fame professional coach for leading the Raiders to a Super Bowl victory and having the number one winning percentage for any coach with at least 100 wins. That's right, step aside Lombardi, Landry, Shula, Noll, Parcells, Belichick, or any other Hall of Fame coach.
Now, at the age of 73, Madden is retiring from broadcasting, his follow up career that surpassed his coaching achievements in longevity and notoriety. However, his number one accomplishment may be the $50 video game that comes out every August branding his name. There are tournaments to compete in this game and even a show on ESPN featuring the best Madden players around the world.
Despite the enormous success that his video game line has produced, it is sad that one of the premiere football coaches in NFL history will be remembered for video games and broadcasting before his coaching accolades. It is a similar fate that former World Heavyweight Champion boxer George Foreman has to live with with his self named kitchen grill and Midas Brakes sponsorship. Do John Madden a favor and understand the history of the NFL and give him the credit he deserves as a coach first, a broadcaster second, and a video game innovator third. Until next time...
Branden E. Jones
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