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In addition to the video game, he became a much-desired pitchman for everything from Miller Lite and Tinactin to Outback Steakhouse and Ace Hardware.

\"PHOTO:John
AP, FILE
PHOTO:John Madden, tackle for the Philadelphia Eagles, poses for a portrait in July, 1959.
>

Madden grew up in Daly City, California, outside San Francisco, and had a successful playing career in high school. The offensive lineman played at Cal Poly and was drafted in the 21st round of the NFL draft by the Philadelphia Eagles. An injury ended his professional playing career and he took a job as an assistant at Allen Hancock College.

He took a job as defensive coordinator at San Diego State in 1994 and then became linebackers coach with the Oakland Raiders in 1967. When Jon Rauch left the Raiders to take the head coaching job with Buffalo in 1969, owner Al Davis promoted the 32-year-old Madden to the youngest head coach in NFL history at the time.

ABC News' Matt Foster contributed to this report.

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