The spirit of former Oakland Raider’s coach John Madden returned to the Coliseum one last time on Monday night.
John Madden’s family arranged to have “One more Monday Night in Oakland: A Celebration of John Madden” in memory of the football coach who became a larger-than-life figure in coaching, broadcasting, advertising and eventually the video game that bears his name. Madden, of Pleasanton, passed away unexpectedly on Dec. 28 at age 85.
Madden’s 103-32-7 all-time record included a 57-11-2 record at the Coliseum.
Madden’s wife Virginia Madden, as the crowd of nearly 2,000 cheered, said, “John believes in the town of Oakland. He believed in the Coliseum and he believed in the Raiders — the Oakland Raiders. Oakland needs a football team.”
Bay Area News Group’s Jerry McDonald contributed to this report.
OAKLAND, CA – FEBRUARY 14: John Madden’s wife Virginia Madden, right, is greeted by Jan Montgomery during the One More Monday Night in Oakland: A Celebration of John Madden memorial event at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Monday, Feb. 14, 2022. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group) OAKLAND, CA – FEBRUARY 14: A Las Vegas Raiders fan watches during the One More Monday Night in Oakland: A Celebration of John Madden memorial event at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Monday, Feb. 14, 2022. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group) OAKLAND, CA – FEBRUARY 14: A bust of John Madden is seen on stage during the One More Monday Night in Oakland: A Celebration of John Madden memorial event at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Monday, Feb. 14, 2022. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group) OAKLAND, CA – FEBRUARY 14: John Madden’s son Mike Madden signs autographs for fans before the One More Monday Night in Oakland: A Celebration of John Madden memorial event at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Monday, Feb. 14, 2022. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group) OAKLAND, CA – FEBRUARY 14: People listen to speakers during the One More Monday Night in Oakland: A Celebration of John Madden memorial event at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Monday, Feb. 14, 2022. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group) OAKLAND, CA – FEBRUARY 14: John Madden’s wife Virginia Madden blows a kiss to the crowd after being interviewed by event emcee Tom Rinaldi, left, during the One More Monday Night in Oakland: A Celebration of John Madden memorial event at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Monday, Feb. 14, 2022. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group) OAKLAND, CA – FEBRUARY 14: Former Oakland Raiders player Henry Lawrence sings during the One More Monday Night in Oakland: A Celebration of John Madden memorial event at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Monday, Feb. 14, 2022. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group) OAKLAND, CA – FEBRUARY 14: Las Vegas Raiders Mark Acasio, also known as Gorilla Rilla, cheers during the One More Monday Night in Oakland: A Celebration of John Madden memorial event at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Monday, Feb. 14, 2022. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group) OAKLAND, CA – FEBRUARY 14: John Madden’s son Mike Madden, right center, talks with former KCBS broadcaster Stan Bunger during the One More Monday Night in Oakland: A Celebration of John Madden memorial event at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Monday, Feb. 14, 2022. To the far left is Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid, and to the right is Washington Commanders head coach Ron RIvera. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group) OAKLAND, CA – FEBRUARY 14: Las Vegas Raiders fans applaud during the One More Monday Night in Oakland: A Celebration of John Madden memorial event at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Monday, Feb. 14, 2022. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group) OAKLAND, CA – FEBRUARY 14: John Madden’s wife Virginia Madden arrives during the One More Monday Night in Oakland: A Celebration of John Madden memorial event at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Monday, Feb. 14, 2022. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group) OAKLAND, CA – FEBRUARY 14: John Madden’s son Mike Madden speaks during the One More Monday Night in Oakland: A Celebration of John Madden memorial event at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Monday, Feb. 14, 2022. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group) OAKLAND, CA – FEBRUARY 14: Former Oakland Raider and NFL coach Terry Robiskie, left, greets former Raider Henry Lawrence during the One More Monday Night in Oakland: A Celebration of John Madden memorial event at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Monday, Feb. 14, 2022. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group) OAKLAND, CA – FEBRUARY 14: A photo of John Madden is seen on the jumbo screen during the One More Monday Night in Oakland: A Celebration of John Madden memorial event at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Monday, Feb. 14, 2022. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group) OAKLAND, CA – FEBRUARY 14: Las Vegas Raiders fans listen to speakers during the One More Monday Night in Oakland: A Celebration of John Madden memorial event at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Monday, Feb. 14, 2022. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group) OAKLAND, CA – FEBRUARY 14: John Madden’s son Mike Madden gets a hug during the One More Monday Night in Oakland: A Celebration of John Madden memorial event at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Monday, Feb. 14, 2022. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group) OAKLAND, CA – FEBRUARY 14: People react during the One More Monday Night in Oakland: A Celebration of John Madden memorial event at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Monday, Feb. 14, 2022. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group) OAKLAND, CA – FEBRUARY 14: Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera, center, talks with attendees during the One More Monday Night in Oakland: A Celebration of John Madden memorial event at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Monday, Feb. 14, 2022. To the left is John Madden’s son Mike Madden. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group) OAKLAND, CA – FEBRUARY 14: Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid, sports commentator Leslie Visser, John Madden’s son Mike Madden and event emcee Tom Rinaldi, from left, listen to speakers during the One More Monday Night in Oakland: A Celebration of John Madden memorial event at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Monday, Feb. 14, 2022. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group) OAKLAND, CA – FEBRUARY 14: Dan Macedo, of Pleasanton, wears a Las Vegas Raiders jacket during the One More Monday Night in Oakland: A Celebration of John Madden memorial event at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Monday, Feb. 14, 2022. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
