Pleasanton's John Madden Remembered In Congress As A Tri-Valley Benefactor

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The late John Madden, a legendary football coach and commentator from Pleasanton, was honored Tuesday in Congress for his contributions to the region.

U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Livermore), whose East Bay district includes Pleasanton, led the tribute and was joined in remarks by his colleagues, U.S. Reps. Jim Costa (D-Fresno), Rodney Davis (R-IL) and Jerry McNerney (D-Stockton).

Madden, 85, died Dec. 28 after a four-decade career in football. The Minnesota native spent most of his life in the East Bay, led the Oakland Raiders to the team's first Super Bowl victory in 1977 and won 16 Emmy Awards for his work as a sportscaster.

The loss of the sports icon was particularly difficult for Tri-Valley, where Madden helped raise money for local school football programs and charities, Swalwell said.

"John Madden was simultaneously a larger-than-life Hall of Fame coach and broadcaster, but also someone you can hang out with and have a cold Miller Lite at the Outback Steakhouse in Dublin after his grandson's football game, bump into in Ace Hardware on a Saturday afternoon, looking at power tools, or join for ham and eggs after mass on a Sunday morning at Vic's All Star kitchen on Main Street in Pleasanton," Swalwell said.

Swalwell said he first met Madden about a decade ago at a friend's backyard barbecue.

"He said to me, 'Eric, things are pretty screwed up back there in Congress.' He didn't use the word 'screwed,'" Swalwell said. "And I looked at him, and I said, 'Coach, I'll try and do better.'"

Various generations knew Madden as a coach and sportscaster and as the namesake of a popular football video game series. Swalwell lauded the way Madden skillfully led the Raiders and clearly communicated the sport of football to fans. He was a teacher, Swalwell said.

"Madden's enthusiasm for football through the television set inspired passion, while his voice also literally taught the game of football to millions of kids through their video game controller," Swalwell said.

Despite his celebrity, Madden was approachable and authentic, Swalwell said.

"I can tell you what you saw on TV is what you would see in real life," he said.

A memorial for Madden will be held Feb. 15 in Oakland. The NFL had not announced a location as of Tuesday afternoon.

See also:

• Date Set For John Madden's East Bay Memorial
• Pleasanton's John Madden, Famed Coach And Broadcaster, Dies At 85
• A Look Back At The Life Of Sports Icon John Madden: Photos