On the TunneySide of Sports January 3, 2022 #881 Up next… a Tribute to Coach John Madden
After further review… ”Who are these guys? I mean, what kid grows up wanting to be a referee? Most kids want to be players or coaches in the NFL – not referees!”
That’s the opening line from the foreword that coach John Madden wrote to my book “Impartial Judgment.” Coach Madden wrote that foreword for the book when it was published in 1988. It was the first book I had written from my perch as a 31-year NFL referee and I wanted someone with superb creditability to write the foreword. Who better than John Madden? John died Jan. 28. He was 85. We were friends for almost 60 years. Stay tuned.
In those 31 years, I probably worked with some 300 NFL coaches. I respected them all, but you have to admit Madden was special. All those who coached loved football but not with the same love as Madden. Football was his life! After he retired from the field, he helped create the Madden NFL video games through EA Sports, a video game company in Redwood City. He asked me to do the voiceover for the first edition.
I’m getting ahead of myself. Building on the success he had as a defensive assistant coach at San Diego State in 1966 under head coach Don Coryell, Madden was hired by Al Davis, head coach and owner of the Oakland Raiders as a linebackers coach in 1967. We met that year. Every year thereafter we were on the field together. I have lost track how many games to which I was assigned, but they always seemed to be the important ones. As an example, during the 1970s, when the Raiders were the winningest team and the Pittsburgh Steelers were so dominant, I must have been assigned some 10 or 12 times – both in the Oakland Coliseum and Three Rivers Stadium (Steelers home field).
In 1984, John created the All-Madden team where he selected the best offensive and defensive players that season. I was honored but surprised when he named me as the best NFL official. Further, in 2006 John called to invite me to attend his Pro Football Hall of Fame Induction in Canton, Ohio at his expense that August. He had some 250 “guests” fly non-stop from Oakland to Canton, Ohio, but without the coach — who was claustrophobic about flying.
Coach Madden concluded on the back cover of my book: “Anyone who needs to understand people and teamwork ought to read this book. Everybody will enjoy it. I can’t believe I’m saying all things nice things about …a referee!”
Will you mourn the loss of Coach Madden for his specialness to the NFL and sports broadcasting?
To contact Jim, go to www.jimtunney.com or email jim@jimtunney.com. “Impartial Judgment” is now out of print but is available for $20 with free shipping from the website or contact Jim at 2962 Club Rd. Ste #32 Pebble Beach, CA. 93953. It includes Jim’s autograph.
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Jim’s books include many messages about rules and regulations (remember he was a referee). His bobblehead on your desk or shelf will be a treasure in your office or home. Jim’s Bobblehead includes no tax and comes with free shipping. Use PayPal or mail check to 2962 Club Rd, Ste 32, Pebble Beach, CA 93953. Enjoy your Holidays!
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To contact Jim, go to www.jimtunney.com or email jim@jimtunney.com.
