John Madden, His Iconic Video Game, The Legacy of the All Madden Team
Few names in American sports carry as much weight as John Madden. A Super Bowl winning coach, beloved broadcaster, and football’s ultimate ambassador, Madden’s voice, personality, and vision helped shape how generations of fans understand the game. But perhaps his most lasting contribution came through a video game.
From his legendary coaching career to his well-known commercials and in-game antics, John Madden was a true treasure. The 1980s and 1990s were filled with his presence across screens and stadiums alike.
From 1984 to 2001, Madden diligently selected his All-Madden teams, creating special editions such as the 10th Anniversary All-Madden Team in 1994, the All-Madden Super Bowl Team in 1997, and the All-Time All-Madden Team in 2000.
ABC Sports acknowledged the significance of the All-Madden Team, stating that "the All-Madden Team has become synonymous with greatness."
All-Madden Teams
In 1981, before the famed All Madden Teams came into existence, John Madden experimented with selecting his own version of an All Star roster. He picked a traditional All Pro team for Pro! Magazine. This early effort followed the standard format seen in publications of the time. The only twist true to Madden’s style was moving guard Randy Cross to the center position.
The true beginning of the All Madden Team came in 1984. That year, Madden launched what would become a signature part of his legacy. Unlike written lists published in magazines or newspapers, the All Madden Team was announced on television, first during CBS broadcasts and later on ABC’s Monday Night Football.
The players Madden selected were not always the biggest stars. They were not always the most decorated or the most talked about. What set these players apart was that Madden respected the way they played. These were his kind of players — tough, smart, unselfish, and relentless. He looked for effort and heart as much as skill and statistics.
Madden limited his selections to players he covered during the season. This gave the team a personal touch. The concept itself came from a conversation with Madden’s lifelong friend, NFL coach John Robinson. Madden wanted to highlight players who played the game the right way, according to the standards he believed in.
The first All Madden Team was selected in 1984. Madden continued picking a new team every year through the 2001 season, which was his final year in the broadcast booth before joining Monday Night Football on ABC.
Over time, Madden created several special editions of the team. These included the tenth anniversary All Madden Team in 1994, the All Madden Super Bowl Team in 1997, and the All Time All Madden Team in 2000. He also wrote a book titled All Madden, which became his third best seller after Hey, Wait a Minute? I Wrote a Book and One Knee Equals Two Feet.
Every year, the All Madden Team became a tribute to the toughest and most respected players in professional football. It was John Madden’s personal version of a league All Star team, defined entirely by his own standards and values.
As the Madden video game franchise exploded in popularity, the All Madden Team became part of the game. EA Sports featured it in yearly releases, allowing fans to use Madden’s favorite players on the field virtually.
Madden also hosted a yearly television special, typically aired on Fox, where he revealed that season’s team. These episodes became must-see television for football fans. Players selected to the team often received custom All Madden jackets or gear. During the show, Madden would sometimes interview the honorees. For many players, being named to the All Madden Team meant more than being chosen for the official league list. It was a sign of deep respect from someone whose opinion truly mattered.
Madden made the selections himself, rarely relying on others. His only consistent sounding board was his close friend and longtime broadcast partner, Pat Summerall. His criteria were simple. He valued players who were tough, consistent, and completely committed on every play. He often picked gritty, physical athletes over those with flashier skills or better numbers. What mattered most was whether a player approached the game with the kind of intensity and attitude that Madden believed in.
How Was The All Madden Team Selected
The uniqueness of the All Madden Team came from Madden’s personal connection to the players. To be eligible for selection, a player had to be someone Madden saw play in person during the season. This rule made each All Madden Team a reflection of what Madden observed firsthand. Because of his broadcasting schedule, the selections often leaned toward the NFC, the conference he covered most frequently. His emphasis on live viewing gave the team a layer of authenticity that matched his deep respect for the way the game was meant to be played.
Madden once explained what it meant to be part of the All Madden Team. He said it was about “Jack Youngblood playing with a busted leg, Lawrence Taylor wreaking havoc on the offense, and Reggie White making the other guy wish he put a little more in the collection plate at church. It is about a guy who has a dirty uniform, mud on his face, and grass in the ear hole of his helmet.”
The All Madden Team was never based on statistics alone. It was about how you played the game. Being selected meant receiving John Madden’s personal seal of approval. For fans and especially for players, that recognition felt different. It made legends out of tough, unselfish athletes. It brought attention to players who might have gone overlooked.
Madden chose offensive linemen who played through the whistle. He favored linebackers who brought intensity to every down. He honored defensive players who were physical and smart, and running backs who never went down on first contact. Some players were stars, others underrated. But if Madden named you to his team, it carried real meaning.
He once summed it up simply: “What does it mean to be All Madden? It is a whole range of things. For defensive linemen and linebackers, it is about Jack Youngblood playing with a busted leg, Lawrence Taylor wreaking havoc on the offense, and Reggie White making the other guy wish he put a little more in the collection plate at church. It is about a guy who has a dirty uniform, mud on his face, and grass in the ear hole of his helmet.”
John Madden had a sharp eye for talent, and many players earned the distinct honor of being named to his team multiple times. Among those were Warren Sapp, the dominant defensive tackle, Mike Alstott, the powerful fullback, Nate Newton, the tenacious offensive lineman, and quarterbacks Brett Favre and Steve Young. Madden’s admiration also extended to icons like Barry Sanders, Troy Aikman, Jackie Slater, and Jerry Rice, all of whom became recurring names on the All Madden Team and helped define an era of football.
All Madden in the Game
Since its debut in 1988, the Madden NFL series has become a cultural institution. It is more than just a game. It is a virtual playbook, a competitive space, and a record of football greatness. Madden was not just a name on the box. He was deeply involved in its development from the very beginning. He insisted that the game reflect the real sport of football, demanding 11 on 11 gameplay when early developers wanted fewer players on the field. His influence showed in the gameplay, the focus on line battles, the strategy, and the authenticity.
As the Madden NFL video games took off on consoles like the Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis, and later PlayStation, something special happened. The All Madden Team became a playable roster in each new release.
Every year, after Madden revealed his picks on television, usually in a special segment with commentary and highlights, fans could turn on the next year’s Madden game and find that very team ready to use in gameplay.
These All Madden Teams were not gimmicks. They were loaded with elite talent. Players like Reggie White, Steve Atwater, Larry Allen, Jerome Bettis, and others appeared year after year. The teams reflected Madden’s football values. Tough players. Smart players. Guys who played with effort.
Eventually, the games even allowed players to compete using historic All Madden Teams against one another. You could match the 1994 All Madden Team against the 1998 All Madden Team. Fans could test how different years stacked up on the field. These matchups became part of the fun for longtime players of the series.
Why It Mattered
There were many perks that came with being named to the All Madden Team. First, players were featured on Madden’s television show and in national publications. Each selected player received a large amount of gear, including jackets, T-shirts, footballs, and hats. Players also earned their spot on the video game version of the team.
Madden’s dedication extended into the digital world, as the All Madden Teams were featured in the Madden video games, allowing fans to pit these legendary squads against one another. Beyond recognition, players selected for the All Madden Teams received leather jackets, Russell Athletic sweatshirts, T-shirts, windbreakers, and trophies — tangible symbols of their inclusion in Madden’s prestigious football fraternity.
In the video game, playing as these teams gave gamers access to rosters built by someone who understood football better than anyone else. It brought real football values into a digital space in a way no other sports game had done before.
All-Madden Year-By-Year Rosters
1984 - 1985 - 1986 - 1987 - 1988 - 1989 - 1990 - 1991 - 1992 - 1993 - 1994 - 1995 - 1996 - 1997 - 1998 - 1999 - 2000 - 2001 - 2002 - 2003 - 2004 - 2005 - 2006 - 2007 - 2008 - 2009 - 2010 - 2011 - 2012 - 2013 - 2014
All-Time All-Madden Super Bowl Team
In 1997 Madden and Pat Summerall selected there All-Time Super Bowl Team.
Quarterbacks – Joe Montana (1979–1994, 49ers, Chiefs) – Joe Namath (1965–1977, Jets, Rams) – Roger Staubach (1969–1979, Cowboys)
Running Backs – Walter Payton (1975–1987, Bears) – John Riggins (1971–1985, Jets, Redskins) – Larry Csonka (1968–1979, Dolphins, Giants)
Wide Receivers – Gary Clark (1985–1995, Redskins, Cardinals, Dolphins) – Don Maynard (1958–1973, Giants, Titans/Jets, Cardinals) – Otis Taylor (1965–1975, Chiefs) – Paul Warfield (1964–1977, Browns, Dolphins) – Lynn Swann (1974–1982, Steelers) – John Stallworth (1974–1987, Steelers)
Tight Ends – Mark Bavaro (1985–1994, Giants, Browns, Eagles) – Mike Ditka (1961–1972, Bears, Eagles, Cowboys) – John Mackey (1963–1972, Colts, Chargers)
Offensive Line – Joe Jacoby (1981–1993, Redskins) – Jerry Kramer (1958–1968, Packers) – Russ Grimm (1981–1991, Redskins) – Larry Little (1967–1980, Chargers, Dolphins) – Anthony Muñoz (1980–1992, Bengals) – Jackie Slater (1976–1995, Rams) – Mike Webster (1974–1990, Steelers, Chiefs) – John Hannah (1973–1985, Patriots)
Defensive Line – Willie Davis (1958–1969, Browns, Packers) – Joe Greene (1969–1981, Steelers) – Bob Lilly (1961–1974, Cowboys) – Jack Youngblood (1971–1984, Rams) – Alan Page (1967–1981, Vikings, Bears) – Randy White (1975–1988, Cowboys)
Linebackers – Mike Curtis (1965–1978, Colts, Seahawks, Redskins) – Jack Lambert (1974–1984, Steelers) – Jack Ham (1971–1982, Steelers) – Ray Nitschke (1958–1972, Packers) – Lawrence Taylor (1981–1993, Giants) – Willie Lanier (1967–1977, Chiefs)
Defensive Backs – Mel Blount (1970–1983, Steelers) – Mike Haynes (1976–1989, Patriots, Raiders) – Jake Scott (1970–1978, Dolphins, Redskins) – Willie Wood (1960–1971, Packers) – Herb Adderley (1961–1972, Packers, Cowboys)
The Legacy Continues
The All Madden Team was a powerful tradition that blended real on-field excellence with video game culture. It brought together the best of both worlds, actual NFL performance and a playable team inside the Madden game that did not exist in real life. In many ways, it expanded on the idea of an All American selection and took it to the next level.
John Madden continues to be missed in football, in broadcasting, and in video game history. His influence remains, but the space he filled has never truly been replaced.
Even after Madden retired from broadcasting and especially following his passing in 2021, the game continues to carry his name and values. Madden 23 opened with a tribute to him and brought him back to the center of the experience.
Today’s versions of Madden still reflect the spirit of the All Madden Team through modes like Ultimate Team and yearly honors for great players. But for many, the original yearly All Madden Teams still stand out as something special. Playing with those rosters was not just about ratings. It was about identity. About playing football the way Madden believed it should be played.
All-Time All-Madden Teams
WATCH John Madden Announce The 1991 All-Madden Selections
WATCH John Madden Announce The 1994 All-Madden Selections
WATCH John Madden Announce The 1995 All-Madden Selections
WATCH John Madden Announce The 1997 All-Madden Selections