PALMETTO (SNN-TV) – A Suncoast legend is remembering and honoring the life of his former NFL coach, the late, great, John Madden.
Henry Lawrence, former Lincoln Memorial and Manatee High star, and top overall draft pick by the Oakland Raiders in 1974, has fond memories of the late Coach Madden.
A budding star in the early 70’s out of Florida A&M University, Lawrence drew the interest of Madden early with his ability to block stars like Ed “Too Tall” Jones.
Lawrence would win three Super Bowls during his NFL career, the first of which came with Coach Madden in 1976 against the Minnesota Vikings. Lawrence would also be voted into the Pro Bowl twice in his career.
The local legend attended and sang at Madden’s recent funeral, and holds the football icon near and dear to his heart. “He was like another daddy, man. His boys would come to training camp, they’d hang out with me, I loved hanging out with them. We talk, and I’d tell them stories. He was a big, big, big figure in my life.”
Lawrence also finds himself in the NFT game and hopes fans on the Suncoast can look back on his career, and view it as a path he trail-blazed for the youth of today.