• Latest
  • Trending

‘A working man’s coach’: Hall of Fame Raiders coach Tom Flores remembers ‘relentless’ mentor John Madden

December 29, 2021

Shania Twain, 57, Seen In Very Rare Photos With Husband As She Rolls Her Own Bag At Airport

January 4, 2023

Kelly Osbourne’s Son’s Name Is Revealed By Mom Sharon As She Returns To TV After Hospitalization

January 4, 2023

Nastia Liukin’s ‘Mental Toughness’ From The Olympics ‘Snapped’ Back During ‘Special Forces’ (Exclusive)

January 4, 2023

Chris Evans Calls Jeremy Renner ‘Tough As Nails’ After Snow Plow Accident: ‘Love You Buddy’

January 4, 2023

Keke Palmer Cradles Her Baby Bump In Strapless Swimsuit On Babymoon With Darius Jackson: Photos

January 4, 2023

Jinny Ng Reveals Why She Scolds Her Husband

January 4, 2023

Lee Seung Gi Will Not Back Down from Contractual Dispute

January 4, 2023

It’s Hard Out There for Artists: Talking About Musicians & Mental Health

January 4, 2023

Prince William Is Reportedly Too ‘Nervous’ to Talk to Prince Harry: ‘They’re Done’

January 4, 2023

Jenna Ortega Debuted a Wolf Cut Bob in a Dress Wednesday Addams Would Love—See Pics

January 4, 2023

Rihanna Just Shared the First Look at Her Baby Son’s Face and He Couldn’t Be Cuter—Watch the Video

January 4, 2023

Simone Biles and Jonathan Owens’s Relationship: A Complete Timeline

January 4, 2023
Retail
Monday, March 20, 2023
Submit/Manage Your own Posts
  • Login
  • Register
  • Tech
  • Science
  • Entertainment
  • Sport
  • Health
  • Lifestyle
  • World
  • Celebrities
  • Sports
No Result
View All Result
Live24x7.news
No Result
View All Result

‘A working man’s coach’: Hall of Fame Raiders coach Tom Flores remembers ‘relentless’ mentor John Madden

by News Editor
December 29, 2021
in World
0

To Tom Flores, John Madden’s gift lay at the crossroads of intellect and work ethic.

The duo spent seven years as colleagues, with Madden hiring Flores in 1972 as the receivers coach for the Oakland Raiders. The interview felt like more of a formality, the man who eventually succeeded Madden as head coach of the Raiders in 1979 said with a laugh: Flores had been a quarterback for the Raiders for seven seasons in the 1960s, playing for owner (and then-coach) Al Davis, and he felt sure that his hire was directed by the strong-willed owner.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

Sarah Jessica Parker Is ‘Livid,’ ‘Heartbroken’ Over Chris Noth Allegations

Opinion: Raiders’ Carl Nassib, months after coming out, remains a powerful NFL groundbreaker

But whether the relationship was organic or had been highly encouraged, Flores believes they complemented each other well. Madden offered brilliant defensive expertise; Flores’ background was steeped in offensive experience. Each strove to live by a value Flores’ father had imparted.

“Roll up your sleeves and go to work,” Flores told USA TODAY Sports by phone Tuesday night. “John was a good coach. He was a working man’s coach.

“A relentless worker.”

John Madden dies: Hall of Fame coach and legendary NFL analyst was 85

He will never be forgotten: John Madden will live forever because his influence was so great | Opinion

This work ethic was evident throughout the game preparation. But memories of game day floated more readily Tuesday night for Flores, who at 84 years old reminisced after a dinner of soup.

He remembered discussing opponent tendencies and game strategy, the most memorable leading up to a 1977 AFC divisional playoff game against the Baltimore Colts. Studying film, Flores suspected the safety was sneaking up when receivers ran ‘in’ routes. Opportunity thus awaited tight end Dave Casper, aka “The Ghost,” in the post. The time needed to be right, but Flores anticipated quarterback Ken Stabler and Casper could capitalize. During the game, Flores called down from the booth to the sideline to advise Madden it was time. The iconic “Ghost to the Post” play helped the Raiders force overtime. They won the game in double-overtime, 37-31, on the third of Casper’s three touchdowns to advance to the AFC championship game.

“I saw during the week in practice film from games that whenever the opponent would go into a certain formation, they would run a certain coverage,” Flores said. “When that happened, ‘Ghost’ had a chance to be open for a big play. It had to be a big play, and it had to be a spectacular throw and catch.

“Casper made an incredible catch.” 

“Ghost to the Post” was an on-field highlight of their time together, but Flores learned a lot from his predecessor, too. Madden’s talents ranged from his knack for implementing key plays at key moments to his necessary interpersonal skills.

Madden taught Flores “how to get along with Al Davis,” Flores said.

“Working for the Raiders, that was very important. I paid attention, watched him interact with Al. Because Al was not an easy to guy work with or for.”

After Madden died Tuesday at 85, Flores thought back to another surreal exit: after the Raiders’ Super Bowl XI victory. Raiders players hoisted Madden into the air, carrying him off the field.

“That was it,” Flores said. “These are his guys. They had grown up in the system with the Raiders under his head coach tutelage.

“No better feeling than that.”

Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Jori Epstein on Twitter: @JoriEpstein 

Read More
Photo Credit: Pixabay

Tags: man'sworking
ShareTweetShare
  • Tech
  • Science
  • Entertainment
  • Sport
  • Health
  • Lifestyle
  • World
  • Celebrities
  • Sports
Email:live24x7.news.official@gmail.com Call/Whatsapp us: +91 9961702230

© 2022 Live24x7.news

No Result
View All Result
  • Tech
  • Science
  • Entertainment
  • Sport
  • Health
  • Lifestyle
  • World
  • Celebrities
  • Sports

© 2022 Live24x7.news

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In