John Madden coaching career is front and center tonight as the NFL honors the legendary Hall of Famer during Thanksgiving games across all three networks. The fourth annual celebration features special patches, tribute videos, and $10,000 donations to youth football programs in the names of three game MVPs.
🔥 Quick Facts
- The NFL stages fourth annual tribute honoring late coach John Madden on November 27, 2025
- All six Thanksgiving teams wear special Madden patches on jerseys, with silhouette design
- Three network MVPs each receive $10,000 donations from NFL Foundation for youth football programs
- Packers vs. Lions, Chiefs vs. Cowboys, and Bengals vs. Ravens feature custom Madden coins for coin tosses
What John Madden Coaching Career Meant to Thanksgiving Football
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Madden once said, “There’s no place that I would rather be today on Thanksgiving than right here, right now, at a football game.” Tonight’s celebration brings together everything important to the legendary coach: family, football, food, tradition, and fun. The NFL continues this fourth-year tradition to ensure his memory lives on.
The Thanksgiving celebration has become a cornerstone event honoring Madden’s unparalleled impact on professional football. From his 103-32-7 regular-season record as Oakland Raiders head coach to his legendary broadcast career, Madden shaped the sport like few others ever have.
Special Patches and Coin Designs Honor Legendary Coach
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Each of the six teams playing on Thanksgiving 2025 will wear a distinctive patch featuring Madden’s silhouette on their uniforms. The black-and-gold design honors the Raiders colors and serves as a powerful visual tribute on the field.
Custom coins have been created for all three games, featuring Madden’s profile on the heads side and a playful six-legged turducken on the reverse. The turducken represents one of Madden’s most beloved Thanksgiving traditions.
Three Thanksgiving MVPs Earn $10,000 Donations for Youth Football
| Award Category | Network | Recipient Benefit |
| Madden Thanksgiving MVP #1 | FOX (Packers-Lions) | $10,000 to youth football program |
| Madden Thanksgiving MVP #2 | CBS (Chiefs-Cowboys) | $10,000 to youth football program |
| Madden Thanksgiving MVP #3 | NBC (Bengals-Ravens) | $10,000 to youth football program |
Each Madden Thanksgiving MVP receives the prestigious Madden MVP trophy, shaped like a pylon with various “Maddenisms” etched throughout. The NFL Foundation donates exactly $10,000 in each MVP’s name to youth football programs, reflecting Madden’s lifelong passion for developing young talent.
“There’s no place that I would rather be today on Thanksgiving than right here, right now, at a football game.”
— John Madden, Hall of Fame Coach
John Madden Coaching Career: Record and Hall of Fame Legacy
Madden compiled one of the greatest coaching records in NFL history during his time with the Oakland Raiders from 1969 to 1978. His 103-32-7 regular-season record gave him the highest winning percentage among coaches with at least 100 victories: an impressive .759.
Most remarkably, Madden never had a losing season in his entire 10-year head coaching career. He led the Raiders to seven playoff appearances and captured Super Bowl XI, cementing his status as one of the greatest coaches ever. Beyond coaching, Madden became a household name through his revolutionary broadcast work and the iconic Madden NFL video game series that bears his name.
Why Does the NFL Continue Celebrating John Madden’s Memory Tonight?
The NFL began the John Madden Thanksgiving Celebration in 2022, the year after Madden’s passing in December 2021 at age 85. What started as a one-time tribute has evolved into a permanent Thanksgiving tradition, reflecting Madden’s deep connection to the holiday and professional football.
Tonight’s celebration features network tributes across FOX, CBS, and NBC, with special Madden Hallmark videos kicking off each broadcast. Michael Madden, the coach’s son, will join Good Morning Football on Thanksgiving Day. The NFL also auctions game-used items from tonight’s three games, with proceeds benefiting the John Madden Foundation.
Sources
- Pro Football Hall of Fame – Official NFL honors and celebration details
- ESPN – Thanksgiving schedule and game information
- NFL Operations – Complete celebration framework and tribute information
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