Posted on 05/01/2013 2:11:17 PM PDT by OneVike
The Pro Football Hall of Fame is in the process of honoring each of its members by placing a plaque at each Hall of Famer's high school.
The Hall of Fame's project made a stop at Superior (WI) High School on Wednesday to honor legendary Vikings Head Coach Bud Grant as well as fellow Hall of Fame members Alphonse "Tuffy" Leemans and Ernie Nevers.
Grant is the most revered figure in Vikings lore. He was head coach of the Vikings for 18 seasons (1967-83, 1985) and in that time compiled a regular season record of 158-96-5 while guiding the Vikings to 11 NFC/NFL divisional championships, claiming titles in 1968-71, 1973-78 and 1980. The Vikings won the NFL title in 1969 and played in Super Bowls IV, VIII, IX, XI under Grant.
Prior to joining the Vikings, Grant went 102-56-2 as head coach of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, guiding the club to 4 Grey Cup titles in 6 title game appearances. Grant also played 6 years of professional football, 2 with the Philadelphia Eagles and 4 with the Blue Bombers. He holds the pro football record for most INTs in a game with 5 vs. Saskatchewan (10/28/53). Grant also played 2 seasons with the NBA's Minneapolis Lakers and won the 1949-50 NBA Championship.
Grant was born on May 20, 1927, in Superior, WI and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in July of 1994. He is the first person to be elected to both the Pro Football Hall of Fame and Canadian Football Hall of Fame.
I agree. The Vikes have never been the same since he left.
Bud’s looking pretty damned good for a guy about to turn 86.
:: played in Super Bowls IV, VIII, IX, XI ::
And, as a fan of the Black&Blue Conference, I say...
One for the thumb! (Second place rings.)
Bud was nothing without Fran.
The only time I ever saw him display any emotion was when he cried during his HOF acceptance speech.
I remember when Sammy White, I think it was. In his rookie season, he was returning kickoffs, and Grant told him that if the ball comes inside the 10 to let it go into the end zone.
Sammy took the ball at the 5 and returned it for a touchdown. When he came to the sideline after the touchdown, Grant benched him for the remainder of the game, because he did not do what Bud told him to.
Bud retired, because he saw the way the future was turning with the big attitudes and big salaries of the players, and wanted nothing to do with it.
One thing I would like to do before I die, spend the afternoon fishing with Bud while talking football on some backwoods lake in the state of my childhood home, Minnesota.
I would then be ready to go home to my Father in heaven.
Bud Grant - 1978
Also had a lot to do with moving indoors from The Met.
If any coach deserved a Super Bowl trophy,, but alas.. the Chiefs, Dolphins, raiders and one other team, to be named soon enuf.. shut them down super sunday.. oh vell, the bills of the midwest live.. Thanks for all the thrills Bud.
Bud Grant is not only a great figure in the history of the NFL and a Minnesota sports icon, but he’s also one of the biggest hunting, fishing and outdoors supporters you will ever find.
Skol, Coach Grant. This longtime Vike salutes you.
Steelers, that game cost me my a Month of cigarette rations while I was stationed in Germany.
I was convinced we would win. Alas, I was bumming cigarettes for a Month.
Ironic picture near the end of the Wisconsin win:
I am very encouraged by our draft. Good thing I quit smoking though.
A man’s man.
I grew up rooting for his Vikes. I recall him then being an old man. Now, in the photo above (from ‘78) he looks so remarkably young and handsome.
I couldn’t agree more. Thanks for your comment.
I was trying to find a video of the winters in Minnesota. One of the players said before the games they would pick their scabs and get the blood flowing down their arms and legs to look meaner. And in the third quarter, like clockwork, the cold wind would pick up and start blowing the flags and rattling the lights. And the players would start chanting “Odin, Odin, Odin...”
Instead I found this one about the 1969 season with Joe Kapp. Talks about how Grant got the Vikings act together.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5qDQUozZeY
IIRC, Bud never allowed sideline heaters like so many pussies now use.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.