LeBron James led tributes to beloved former NFL coach John Madden on Twitter.com.
Madden, who inspired the wildly popular “Madden NFL” video games, died Tuesday at age 85.
The Lakers star tweeted: “Rest in Paradise To the goat John Madden!!!! Your legacy will continue to live on!!!!!”
Rest in Paradise To the ? John Madden!!!! Your legacy will continue to live on ?!!!!!
— LeBron James (@KingJames) December 29, 2021
Madden coached the Oakland Raiders to seven division titles. His teams made the NFL playoffs eight times and the NFL championship in Super Bowl XI in 1977. Madden retired from coaching in 1978.
His well-known fear of flying contributed to his decision to retire and turn to sports broadcasting. He famously traveled to every game in a custom motor coach. He retired from broadcasting in 2008.
The Pro Football Hall of Famer was popular with young people thanks to his EA Sports video game, Madden NFL.
“People always ask, are you a coach or a broadcaster or a video game guy?” he said when he was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
“I’m a coach, always been a coach.”
