WATCH: When John Madden Featured in a Commercial With NASCAR Icons Like Darrell Waltrip and Geoff Bodine

One of the biggest names in the history of the NFL, John Madden, recently passed away. The former coach and broadcaster was 85-years of age. Madden was one of the biggest reasons for making the NFL more popular through the video game, ‘Madden NFL’.

But it wasn’t just football that witnessed Madden’s greatness.

In 1987, he also featured in a commercial with NASCAR drivers Darrell Waltrip, Geoff Bodine, Brett Bodine, and Tim Richmond. The commercial was for the Superflo oil from Exxon.

RIP John Madden, a true icon transcending sports. Here is a 1987 commercial he filmed with Geoff Bodine, Brett Bodine, Tim Richmond, and Darrell Waltrip pic.twitter.com/JS1molc69m

— nascarman (@nascarman_rr) December 29, 2021

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John Madden, a true great in every sense of the word

While for most of the greats, greatness walks away when age comes in, for Madden the greatness remained no matter what. If anything, his greatness grew as he grew older.

He was known as a Hall of Fame coach to one generation, and as arguably the greatest broadcaster to another.

In his first seven seasons full of near-misses with the Oakland Raiders as a coach, Madden finally tasted Super Bowl success in 1976. Madden was only 40 when his Raiders team defeated Minnesota Vikings 32-14.

Yet, to the shock of many, he walked away from coaching in 1978.

Nevertheless, soon he found himself back in the mix of football as a commentator for CBS. In his broadcasting career that stretched until 2009, Madden worked for CBS, ABC, NBC, and Fox.

It was reported that, at one point, he was earning more money as a broadcaster than any NFL player.

And then there’s the ‘Madden NFL’ video game franchise.

In fact, if we consider the impact and popularity of the video game for the NFL, one could argue that John Madden was a legend in three different eras, in three different roles, for three different generations.

After his death, the current NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement, “There will never be another John Madden, and we will forever be indebted to him for all he did to make football and the NFL what it is today.”

Goodell added, “Nobody loved football more than Coach.”

“He was football.”

Also Read: Why is NASCAR Legend Dale Earnhardt Known as The Intimidator?

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