John Madden Thanksgiving Day Honors

NFL Teams wore a John Madden Thanksgiving Day jersey patch to commemorate the late, great coach/commentator who paced the sidelines for 10 years as head coach of the Oakland Raiders. Madden, who passed away two years ago, was known for accomplishing many great things.  

Whether it was on the sideline coaching like a mad scientist, or up in the broadcaster's booth commentating games with gusto, Madden was a visual/audible lightning rod of entertainment. 

EA Sports Madden NFL video game, now in its twenty-fourth series annual release, continues to entertain and inspire young football fans. What young'uns coming up with today's football will sadly miss however, are traditional Thanksgiving Day football games broadcast with John Madden in the booth.  He was an original to say the least.

If a young'un is reading this, just google "NFL Turducken!"

All six teams competing in NFL games this Thanksgiving Day wore the symbolic Madden Patch on their jersey. One game's half-time show (not starring Dolly Parton) featured a very touching segment on Darryl Stingley, who suffered a spinal cord injury on the field in 1978, leaving him a paraplegic. 

After the injury, John became close with Stingley and his family, privately giving support when and wherever it was needed. The feature highlights a recent meeting between John and Daryl's sons. Daryl's grandson, Derek Stingley, Jr., currently plays for the Houston Texans.

John Madden was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006.

Raider Nation will always be proud of what coach John Madden stood for in life; Commitment to Excellence!

Thanks Coach!