John Madden The Forgotten Eagle
The little known Eagles Career of the Legendary Coach
Many people are familiar with the name John Madden. However, it’s for usually one of three things. Either it’s as legendary coach, a broadcasting juggernaut, or as the mind behind the most successful football video game franchise of all time. What isn’t brought up nearly enough is his playing career. Where it started. And where it abruptly ended. And how it set in motion one of the most iconic careers in the history of American football.
An Eagle For A Moment
Many people don’t know that Madden once dawned the “Kelly” green of the Philadelphia Eagles. But he did. Madden was drafted in the 21st round (244th overall) by the birds in 1958 but suffered an injury to his knee in his first training camp, ending his playing career without having had an opportunity to play professionally. Luckily for him while he was rehabbing the terrible injury, he had a front row seat to Eagles great Norm Van Brocklin watching film and explaining what was happening. He quickly soaked up this knowledge. This combined with his college degree in teaching sparked the Minnesota native’s love for teaching the game of football. This soon led to a coaching opportunity.
He would go on to a lengthy college coaching career at Allen Hancock College, that would see him eventually land as a linebackers coach for the Oakland Raiders. And I don’t have to tell you what happened after that. John Madden changed football forever, and it all began with a short stint in Philadelphia.