As John Madden turns 85, those who know him best share the stories that capture how he changed the sports we watch, how we watch them, and how our kids -- and their kids -- will learn football.
1. During the 2006 Super Bowl weekend, Madden was waiting to hear if he'd gotten into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He'd always insisted that he be considered as a coach, rather than a revolutionary broadcaster, endorsement groundbreaker, or esports icon. He was a coach, period, and would get in -- or not --- based on the strength of his 1976 Super Bowl win, his 75.