RIP Bud Grant

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norshorblufish

By the Big Water
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Iconic Minnesota Vikings coach Bud Grant passed away today.
grew up watching him coaching the Vikings.
Rest in peace Bud you were one of the best! Godspeed!

Hall of Fame coach Bud Grant, who led the Minnesota Vikings to four Super Bowls, dies​

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Jaylon Thompson
USA TODAY

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."
 
I didn't keep track of the Vikings back then, but the guy sure has a storied background. Sounds like he was born for sports.

RIP Bud.
 
They don't make them like that too much anymore. Multi-sport. 29 years of professional head coaching. Dies at 95 years old. Still was on Vikings payroll as a consultant to 2022.

A life well lived. RIP.
 
When I was a kid in the 1980’s I got to go with my uncle and plow out his driveway one day during the winter before my dad and I went to see the monster trucks at the Metrodome…I never met him or seen him but I always remember that
 
He led the Winnipeg Blue Bombers a little before my time, but I remember hearing about him and the success he and the team enjoyed for many years after he moved to the NFL.
R.I.P. Bud Grant
 
Been a Minnesota Vikings fan since the late 60's, and that was difficult as I live in Bill's country. Coach Grant was the man for the time, if there ever was one. Hard nosed as the Minnesota winter. I'm a big defensive football guy, and the Purple People Eaters were made for my type of football. No surprise he lived well into his 90's, he would have it no other way. Wish they could have won a Superbowl before his passing. RIP Coach.

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Bud never allowed heaters on the sidelines during any of the games at the ol Met stadium no matter how cold it got. He said if they had heaters the player would be all huddled around them and not paying attention to the game.

He also had all the players stand at attention during the national anthem.
And at the practices it’s said he’d have them practice doing it.
 
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