Sac Fly: R.I.P. John Madden

Former Oakland Raiders head coach and announcer John Madden passed away yesterday. After winning a Super Bowl with the Raiders, Madden became half of the top NFL broadcasting duo with Pat Summerall.

After an injury ended his NFL playing career before it began,

Madden turned to coaching.

Raiders owner Al Davis hired Madden as head coach of the Raiders when John was only 32 years old.

Cool photo of Madden drinking a Tab.

In the mid-70's before legions jumped on the "Just Win Baby" bandwagon, I became a Raiders fan, mostly due to one of my favorite players, Fred Bilenikoff. The 70's Raiders were filled with memorable characters and good players: the left-handed Stabler, the speedy Branch, tight end Dave Casper, Ted Hendricks, center Jim Otto, guard Gene Upshaw, tackle Art Shell, Otis Sistrunk, Jack Tatum, and Madden.

Madden retired from coaching at the age of 42, in part due to his fear of flying. When his broadcasting career took off he parlayed his cross-country bus riding into sponsorships with Greyhound and later Outback Steakhouse - also with Lite Beer from Miller and later the vastly successful Madden video game.

Sorry, but for some reason Clemson wide receiver Beaux Collins reminds me of Clifford Franklin from The Replacements.

Lunch today with a friend at Christie's, a Greek restaurant recently relocated to Merchants Walk. Rob ordered a huge four meat calzone (top). I had the delicious chicken parm grinder.