NBC will air an extended feature highlighting the coaching legacy of John Madden during halftime of itsThanksgivingbroadcastof theBaltimore Ravensvs.Cincinnati Bengalsgame.
The feature – which coincides with the NFL's fourth annual "John Madden Thanksgiving Celebration" – will be narrated by Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid, who considered Madden a mentor.
Reid refers to Madden as "one of my favorite people ever" during the introduction to the piece. The two met while Reid was coaching for theGreen Bay Packersin the 1990s, and Reid expressed a belief that Madden took a liking to him because both were former offensive linemen.
"Every time we got together we talked about life, we talked about coaching and the magic of getting a team to work together to find greatness," Reid said. "Even today, it's a thrill to say John Madden was a friend. And he was one heck of a coach."
Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Best images of the 2025 NFL season
Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18)makes a catch for a touchdownagainst the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
NBC's piece highlighted the best moments of Madden's 10-year career. It interviewed several of Madden's former players, including Hall of Famer Art Shell, Gus Otto and Phil Villapiano, who credited theRaiderslegend for creating a winning culture during his 10 seasons with the Raiders.
"Everybody in the league wanted to be a Raider, and that was 100% John Madden," Villapiano said.
Madden posted a 103-32-7 record with the Raiders across 10 seasons, never logging a losing campaign and leading the team to a Super Bowl 11 victory. His .759 winning percentage is second-best in NFL history among qualifiers, behind only Guy Chamberlain, while his 103 wins rank 43rd all-time.
And as Madden's son, Mike Madden, explained in NBC's feature, his father's success as a coach came naturally.
"He loved coaching because it was about attention to detail," the younger Madden said. "The more detail, the deeper you drilled down, the harder you worked, the better the results were. And I think he loved every element of that."
The feature didn't just outline Madden's coaching skills. It also showcased Madden's humor – including a clip from Madden's lone appearance on "Late Night with David Letterman" in 1983 – and highlighted his teaching skills, which were lauded by Hall of Fame coach Joe Gibbs, who worked with Madden on San Diego State's coaching staff and before both became Super Bowl-winning NFL coaches.
"I learned so much from Coach Madden," Gibbs said in the story. "He was very competitive. I don't care if it was a scrimmage on Wednesdays or the game. He wanted to win."
NBC's full John Madden feature will air during halftime of Thursday'sRavens vs. Bengals game, which kicks off at 8:15 p.m. ET.
NBC's halftime show will also show a brief highlight of Lil Jon's halftime performance at M&T Bank Stadium. The network will not show the rapper's performance in its entirety.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:NBC to air John Madden feature at halftime of Ravens vs. Bengals
