Ray Guy and John Madden. CANTON, OH – AUGUST 2: Former NFL punter Ray Guy, left, poses with his bust and former coach John Madden, right, during the NFL Class of 2014 Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony at Fawcett Stadium on August 2, 2014 in Canton, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)

The NFL has announced that former Oakland Raiders coach and ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC analyst John Madden recently underwent open-heart surgery. The procedure was done to repair blockages.

According to a statement issued by the league, Madden is expected to recover. And NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell had this quote about the man who has defined watching football for a generation:

“I spoke to John yesterday,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said. “He sounds great, but is frustrated about being on injured reserve for the time being. He is anxious to return to action soon doing the important work he does for our game. He’s a tremendous fountain of ideas and we can’t wait to get him back. We are all pleased to know that John’s procedure was successful and wish him a speedy recovery.” 

Madden serves as a co-chair on the NFL Player Safety Advisory Panel and chairman of the Coaches Subcommittee to the Competition Committee. And while he hasn’t been on television since the Super Bowl XLIII broadcast in early 2009, his influence on the game is still seen through his Madden NFL video game and his work for the league.

He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a broadcaster in 2002 and then as a coach in 2006.

[NFL Communications]

About Ken Fang

Ken has been covering the sports media in earnest at his own site, Fang's Bites since May 2007 and at Awful Announcing since March 2013.

He provides a unique perspective having been an award-winning radio news reporter in Providence and having worked in local television.

Fang celebrates the four Boston Red Sox World Championships in the 21st Century, but continues to be a long-suffering Cleveland Browns fan.

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