Mike Tomlin sends tribute via social media on passing of John Madden

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin rarely posts on social media but he decided to share his thoughts after the passing of NFL legend John Madden.

Madden died unexpectedly at age 85 on Tuesday. After 10 seasons as the head coach of the Oakland Raiders, John Madden spent three decades in the broadcast booth with CBS, FOX, ABC and NBC.

“John Madden was a true football man. RIP, Coach,” Tomlin wrote on Twitter.

John Madden was a true football man. RIP, Coach.

— Mike Tomlin (@CoachTomlin) December 29, 2021

The Pittsburgh Steelers are 7-7-1 on the year and sitting in third in the AFC North. Tomlin’s penultimate game of the season is on Monday night versus the 7-8 Cleveland Browns.

NFL legend John Madden passes away

Messages have poured in from every corner of the NFL after his death.

Troy Aikman shared: “John was a treasure. He was a gift. And he was an incredible friend.”

Former Packers quarterback Brett Favre also grew close to Madden over the years.

“I’ll always remember our pre-game mtgs, when we laughed & talked about anything but football,” Favre wrote. “I’ll miss my dear friend.”

The NFL released the following statement on his passing:

“Earlier today we received the sad news that the great John Madden died unexpectedly this morning, he was 85.

“On behalf of the entire NFL family, we extend out condolences to Virginia, Mike, Joe and their families,’ said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. ‘We all know him as the Hall of Fame coach of the Oakland Raiders and broadcaster who worked for every major network, but more than anything, he was a devoted husband, father and grandfather.’

“Nobody loved football more than Coach. He was football. He was an incredible sounding board to me and so many others. There will never be another John Madden, and we will forever be indebted to him for all he did to make football and the NFL what it is today.”

On3’s James Fletcher contributed to this report.