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The NFL community is mourning the loss of Pro Football Hall of Fame coach Bud Grant. The legendary coach led the Minnesota Vikings to four Super Bowl appearances in his tenure.
Grant was 95 years old.
“No single individual more defined the Minnesota Vikings than Bud Grant,” Vikings owners Mark and Zygi Wilf released in a statement. “A once-in-a-lifetime man, Bud will forever be synonymous with success, toughness, the North and the Vikings. In short, he was the Vikings. Words can never truly describe Bud’s impact on this franchise and this community.”
Grant spent 28 seasons coaching in the NFL and the Canadian Football League (CFL). He was the first person to be elected to both the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the CFL Hall of Fame. Grant was a combined 260-152-7 in his coaching career.
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Grant became the Vikings head coach in 1967. He led the franchise to a division title and first playoff appearance in his second season. In 1969, the Vikings lost in Super Bowl IV against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Super Bowl IV was the start of multiple championship runs. Grant led the Vikings to three Super Bowl appearances from 1973-77. The Vikings represented the NFC in Super Bowl VIII, Super Bowl IX and Super Bowl XI, but lost each all .
Grant was instrumental in coaching fellow Hall of Famers in Fran Tarkenton, Alan Page and Carl Eller among others. Grant finished his NFL tenure in 1985 with 158 career wins.
In the CFL, Grant won four Grey Cups as the Blue Bombers head coach. In 10 seasons, Grant became the winningest head coach in franchise history.
“The Winnipeg Football Club is deeply saddened by the passing of former Blue Bombers player and head coach Bud Grant today at the age of 95,” the team released in a statement.
Prior to his coaching success, Grant was a standout athlete. He attended the University of Minnesota and was a three-sport star. He played football, basketball and baseball for the Golden Gophers.
His success led him to playing in the NBA, NFL and CFL. He spent two seasons with the Minneapolis Lakers and won a championship during the 1949-50 campaign. He later played for the Philadelphia Eagles and recorded 997 receiving yards and seven touchdowns in 1952. Grant also suited up with the Blue Bombers for multiple seasons before transitioning into coaching.
“Our organization and the Minnesota sports community is forever indebted to Bud Grant,” Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said in a statement. “Rest in peace, Bud.”
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