Word of John Madden’s death shook the sports world Tuesday when it was announced that the icon had died at 85. As a coach, broadcaster and the voice of the video-game series that bears his name, Madden was one of the most influential figures in NFL history.

“I am not aware of anyone who has made a more meaningful impact on the National Football League than John Madden, and I know of no one who loved the game more,” Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said.

Madden was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in 1958 and became the Oakland Raiders head coach in 1969. Madden made seven AFC Championship Game appearances and won a Super Bowl championship during his decade-long run as the Raiders coach, though he gained even more acclaim once his career within the league came to an end.

From 1979 to 2009, Madden was the NFL’s most recognizable color commentator. Madden called games for CBS, FOX, NBC and ABC, retiring after the 2009 Super Bowl between the Arizona Cardinals and Pittsburgh Steelers. Madden and Pat Summerall became arguably the greatest broadcasting team of all time.

“We worked together for seven years on ‘Monday Night Football’ and ‘Sunday Night Football.’ It was like hitting the lottery,” NBC announcer Al Michaels said of Madden. “He was so much more than just football — a keen observer of everything around him and a man who could carry on a smart conversation about hundreds and hundreds of topics. The term ‘Renaissance Man’ is tossed around a little too loosely these days, but John was as close as you can come. A dear friend, a wonderful partner in the broadcast booth, and a man who brought so much joy to so many people. I’ll miss him enormously.”

Many football fans know Madden best from the Madden NFL video-game franchise. Madden NFL is one of the highest-selling video-game series of all time with the broadcaster’s signature calls a staple of the game each year.

"Today we lost a hero," game maker EA Sports said in a statement. "His knowledge of the game was second only to his love for it and his appreciation for everyone that ever stepped on the gridiron."

Madden was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a coach in 2006.

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