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John Madden Recalls Raiders Fan Favorite Marv Hubbard's Style On And Off Field

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) -- Oakland Raiders Hall of Fame coach John Madden spoke Tuesday about the loss of one the Raider Nation favorites from the early 70s, fullback Marv Hubbard.

The Raiders announced the death of the three-time Pro Bowler on the team's website. Hubbard would have been 69 on Thursday.

On his Daily Madden slot with the KCBS morning anchors, Madden recalled how Hubbard's punishing running style would wear out opposing defenses. "Marv was a tough guy and a tough runner. You think back now, people don't do things like this, but we used to run him early to kind of wear the defense down and then when we got ahead, we would run him to finish the game."

Before 'Marvelous' Marv became a fan favorite, the Raiders cut the upstate New York native and Colgate grad on the last day of training camp in 1968 after drafting him in the 11th round.

Hubbard played that season in the Canadian Football League and a year later in 1969 found himself again at the Raiders training camp - Madden's first year as head coach.

"Marv is on his second stint with the Raiders and he doesn't show up for practice," said Madden. "Someone said 'Marv's just sitting in his room.' So I go to his room and he's just sitting in his room playing a guitar and signing a country and western song. I said what the hell are you doing? He said, 'Well, the last time I was here, this was the day I got cut and I can tell the way things are going I'm going to get cut again today. I'm just going to get ready to leave.' I said, 'No, you're not getting cut. Put that doggone guitar down.' And he kept playing his song. He believed me and came back had a great training camp and made the team."

 

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