Posted on 03/11/2023 1:49:44 PM PST by Rummyfan
Bud Grant, the Hall of Fame coach who led the Minnesota Vikings to four Super Bowl appearances, has died at the age of 95, the Vikings announced Saturday.
In Grant's 28 seasons as a head coach in Canada and with the Vikings, his teams reached the playoffs 20 times, played in 10 championship games and won four titles. However, none of those titles came in the NFL, as he became the first coach to lose four Super Bowls.
Grant was the first person to be inducted into both the CFL Hall of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He had a career regular-season record of 158-96-5 in the NFL and 102-56-2 in the CFL and went a combined 26-20-1 in the postseason between the two leagues.
"No single individual more defined the Minnesota Vikings than Bud Grant," Vikings owners Mark and Zygi Wilf and their family said in a statement. "A once-in-a lifetime man, Bud will forever be synonymous with success, toughness, the north and the Vikings."
Pro Football Hall of Fame president Jim Porter remembered Grant for his continued connection to the Hall "well into his 90s."
(Excerpt) Read more at espn.com ...
RIP Bud, you never won a Super Bowl, but you were a great coach.
And great gentleman. RIP
Incorrect. The Vikings were the final pre-merger NFL Champions. When they lost to the Chiefs in SB IV, they hadn't merged yet.
He was a real class act.
The Vikings had a great defense in the late 1960s and through most of the 1970s. Lousy offenses until Fran Tarkenton returned, though they still managed to win games.
“Absolutely devastated” and “we are shocked”
The dude was 95 years old you drama queens.
He was the last remaining of the great 70s coaches, along with Shula, Landry, Noll, Knox, and Madden. Seemed like every year it was the same teams in the playoffs (Cowboys, Rams, Vikings, Steelers, Dolphins, Raiders)
Bud Grant was tough. He did not wear a coat nor a hat when he walked onto the field on January 10, 2016. Weather that day: “It’s -6 at the stadium with a -25 wind chill. It’s officially the coldest game in Vikings history, 3rd coldest in NFL history. 9:58 AM · Jan 10, 2016”
He still looked pretty good a few years ago, so I am kind of surprised. I figured if anyone could make it to triple-digits, it would have been him.
Hank Stram bump.
He used to have garage sales at his Wisconsin home, and sold his memorabilia cheap to fans with fond memories. Also known for putting snakes in drawers of front office people for a laugh. RIP.
Seems like there was a better class of coaches back then. I would add Hank Stram and Dick Nolan and Don Coryell to your list.
I was not a Vikings fan, but I thought he was a great, solider and honorable coach.
Thank you for the memories, Sir.
Played football, basketball and baseball at U of Minnesota, and also played for the NBA Minneapolis Lakers.
“...great, SOLID, and honorable coach...”
Damn Auto-Co-Wrecked.
Yeah. This forum could use a 30 or 60 second edit feature.
RIP
Marv Levy still kicking at 97.
Sam Rutigliano is 91.
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