News of John Madden’s death Tuesday at age 85 hit here with an emotional wallop similar to word of Celtics icon Tommy Heinsohn’s passing in November 2020.
They had much in common beyond some hilarious 1970s and ‘80s Miller Lite commercials. Madden, like Heinsohn, was forever true to himself, passionate about his sport, compassionate to others, a larger-than-life figure with everyman appeal. As a sports fan and television viewer, I don’t think I’ll ever stop missing either one of them.
Madden, like Heinsohn, was a Hall of Fame coach, and yet that’s — what? — the third thing that comes to mind when we think about him, maybe the fourth?