The sports world is still reeling after the shocking death of John Madden.
Just three days before Madden passed away, he had an outstanding request. According to Cydney Henderson of USA TODAY Sports, Madden wanted to spend Christmas surrounded by his family and friends watching FOX Sports’ “All Madden” documentary.
Tom Rinaldi and Joel Santos, the directors of the documentary, called “All Madden” a “love letter” to the former Raiders coach’s legacy. Santos added Madden wanted to watch the documentary by Christmas Day.
“John asked to see it,” Santos said, via USA TODAY Sports. “It was our wish to make it a gift for him and his family on Christmas Day.”
Santos said that Madden was “really blown away” by the documentary, and that “it made [Madden] realize his impact and the fact that so many people loved him.”
“He made a joke about the one thing he didn’t like … (Raiders star) Dave Casper calling him a cartoon character,” Santos recalled, adding, “He was a jokester.”
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Rinaldi said, “Now that John has passed, I don’t think I’m overstepping by saying that every one of those people that sat down with us and shared their time, their thoughts, and their hearts, feel all the greater for having done so.”
The National Football League has made it known they would honor Madden this weekend.
“As you know, the NFL lost a true giant on Tuesday with the passing of John Madden,” the memo said. “To help honor his legacy, we ask that each home team in Week 17 observe a moment of silence in his memory just prior to the start of the game.”
The NFL said Madden died unexpectedly and did not reveal a cause of death.
