Madden Cruiser pulls into Allegiant
Raiders to honor former coach Sunday at stadium
Former Raiders coach John Madden will be honored on Sunday when the team hosts the Los Angeles Chargers.
His accomplishments span a Super Bowl championship as head coach, a long stint as a beloved broadcast analyst and the distinction of being the founder of a signature football video game.
Sunday’s game at Allegiant Stadium is the Raiders’ first at home since the death of Madden last Monday. The game itself is a fitting tribute, as the winner between the longtime AFC West rivals will advance to the playoffs.
Madden coached the Raiders from 1969 to 1978 when they were based in Oakland, leading the 1976 team to the Super Bowl XI title. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006.
Madden and the Raiders had many memorable matchups against the Chargers, with some of their showdowns being hugely impactful to both teams’ playoffs hopes.
The Raiders will remember him in various ways on Sunday, including an interactive display featuring highlights of his life.
Among them, the Madden Cruiser, the bus that Madden rode to and from his weekly broadcasts. It will be open to fans with tickets. Access to the outside and inside of the bus, which will be located on the west side of Allegiant Stadium, will be available to fans.
Also, there will be a display that features various special moments of his life. The interactive timeline will include his early life prior to pro football, his coaching career and his time as a broadcaster. That display also will be available for viewing on the west side of Allegiant Stadium.
In addition, various wall structures will be set up allowing fans to pen thoughts and memories of Madden.
The structures will be set up at the Modelo Tailgate Zone located inside the Southwest Entry Gate, the North Plaza Platform located inside the Ford North Entry Gate and at the Madden Cruiser location on the west side of the stadium.
Lastly, Madden’s wife, Virginia, his sister Judy and sons Mike and Joe and their spouses and grandsons Jesse and Jack will light the Al Davis Memorial Torch prior to kickoff on Sunday.
A public memorial for Madden will be held Feb. 15 in Oakland, California, the family announced.