John Madden remains a larger-than-life figure even four years after his passing, celebrated by generations of football fans for various achievements—from legendary NFL coach to award-winning broadcaster, and the namesake of a popular video game franchise. Recently, NFL reporter Cam Inman, who covers the San Francisco 49ers for the Bay Area News Group, suggested a new award be named in his honor, “The John Madden NFL Offensive Lineman of the Year Award,” to recognize the top lineman.
Buffalo Bills four-time Pro Bowl tackle Dion Dawkins originally proposed the idea during a press conference, stating, “Offensive linemen don’t have awards for being great. There’s not a ‘Protector of the Year Award.’ I’m knocking at so many doors now to get this award going. I’m going to make sure this gets done before I’m done playing. Because there are so many greats.”
Dion Dawkins believes there should be a Lineman of the Year award: “I’m going to make sure this gets done before I’m done playing.” #Bills #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/IRYXfJMo58
— alex brasky (@alexbrasky) January 23, 2025
Inman shared a video of Dawkins’ comments alongside his proposal to name the award after Madden, stating, “Suggestion: The John Madden NFL Offensive Lineman of the Year Award. Madden spoke up for O-linemen like no other. He was an Eagles O-lineman out of Cal Poly before an ACL tear as a rookie in camp, ultimately becoming a Pro Football Hall of Fame coach with the Raiders and an award-winning TV analyst.”
Suggestion:
The John Madden NFL Offensive Lineman of the Year AwardMadden spoke up for O-linemen like no other. He was an Eagles O-lineman out of Cal Poly before ACL tear as a rookie in camp. Merely became Pro Football Hall of Fame coach with Raiders and award-winning TV analyst https://t.co/CRgrWtRn60
— Cam Inman (@CamInman) January 24, 2025
This season, an additional award named in Madden’s honor, the Madden Thanksgiving MVP trophy, will be given to top performers in each game on the holiday that has become synonymous with him.
This year, the inaugural Madden Thanksgiving MVP trophy will be awarded to the top performers from each Thanksgiving game.
Artist Brian Madden designed the trophy, created to honor John Madden and celebrate everything the game of football means to the Thanksgiving holiday… pic.twitter.com/WJsND2qubv
— NFL (@NFL) November 27, 2024
Fans may recall that a previous award named after John Madden, the “Madden Most Valuable Protectors Award,” was given from 2009 to 2013, but establishing something more permanent would serve as a fitting tribute to this football icon.
