On Saturday, March 11, the Minnesota Vikings announced that Bud Grant had passed away at the age of 95.
“No single individual more defined the Minnesota Vikings than Bud Grant,” Minnesota Vikings Owners Mark and Zygi Wilf said.
“A once-in-a lifetime man, Bud will forever be synonymous with success, toughness, the north and the Vikings.”
Grant coached the Minnesota Vikings from 1967 through 1985. During his time with the franchise, Grant and the Vikings won the NFC Central 11 times, appeared in the playoffs 12 times and won the NFC four times. In addition, he spent 10 seasons as the coach of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the Canadian Football League. From 1957 through 1966, he won five Western Conference titles and four Grey Cup titles. Not to mention, he played two years in the NFL with the Philadelphia Eagles and two years in the NBA with the Minneapolis Lakers.
“There are so many adjectives appropriate to describe Coach Bud Grant: legendary, determined, successful,” Pro Football Hall of Fame President Jim Porter said.
“Underneath his outwardly stoic demeanor that some misunderstood as a coldness laid the warm heart of a man who truly loved his players and the sport of football.”
