OAKLAND, Calif. - The memorial for former Oakland Raiders head coach and broadcasting legend John Madden was a homecoming that brought stars from the NFL, sports broadcasting, Raiders fans and friends together at the Oakland Ring Central Coliseum.The tribute was called One More Monday night in Oakland: a celebration of the life of John Madden, with a nod to his years as a commentator for Monday night football.
The board was lit up with the Raiders logo and a portrait of Madden with a broadcasting headset. "I know he's up there and I know he's smiling down," Madden's wife Virginia told the crowd, saying after her husband died on Dec.
28 at age 85, she wanted his memorial there for Oakland and the fans he loved."John believes in the town of Oakland, he believed in the Coliseum.
Most of all he believed in the Raiders....I believe in the Raiders. The Oakland Raiders," said Virginia, emphasizing the name of the city in a poke at the team's relocation to Las Vegas.Raiders faithful from across the region came in their black and silver team colors.