by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images
Pro Football Hall of Famer Bud Grant, who led the Minnesota Vikings to four Super Bowl appearances over eight years as their head coach, died at the age of 95 on Saturday morning.
Minnesota Vikings @Vikings
We are absolutely devastated to announce that legendary Minnesota Vikings coach and Hall of Famer Bud Grant passed away this morning at the age of 95.
We, like all Vikings and NFL fans, are shocked and saddened by this terrible news. pic.twitter.com/z2NNlNAY44
Grant coached the Vikings from 1967-1983 and then again in 1985, compiling a 158-96-5 record. His teams made the playoffs 10 times in 11 years (1968-1978) and won a total of 11 NFC Central titles.
Grant also coached the CFL’s Winnipeg Blue Bombers for 10 seasons (1957-1966) before reaching the NFL. Winnipeg won four Gray Cups under Grant’s tutelage.
Grant played college football at the University of Minnesota and earned two All-Big Ten honors. He also lettered in baseball and basketball and played varsity in those sports three times each.
He was selected in both the NBA and NFL drafts and suited up for the Minneapolis Lakers for two seasons as a reserve, winning the 1950 NBA championship.
Grant then switched to football and joined the Philadelphia Eagles in 1951. He started at defensive end but moved to wide receiver in 1952 and caught 56 passes for 997 yards and seven touchdowns.
A contract dispute led Grant to the CFL, where he joined the Blue Bombers in 1953. Grant was a three-time Western Conference All-Star in four seasons before becoming the team’s head coach.
His huge success in the CFL led to an NFL shot, and Grant took full advantage. Grant had a lot of work to do taking over a team that hadn’t made the playoffs in seven years prior to his arrival. However, Grant led the team to the postseason just two years later and then to the Super Bowl the following season.
Grant’s teams were best known for their formidable defense, specifically a line nicknamed the Purple People Eaters (Gary Larsen, Alan Page, Carl Eller and Jim Marshall). From 1969-1976, the Vikings were first, second or third in fewest points allowed in all but one year.
The Lombardi Trophy proved elusive, however, as the Vikings lost by double digits in the big game on all four occasions. However, these legendary teams found tremendous success under Grant, who turned a moribund franchise into a powerhouse in just three years.
Many people offered their condolences and memories of Grant following the news of his death.
Brady Henderson @Brady Henderson
Pete Carroll worked under Grant early in his NFL coaching career and always considered him a mentor. Make it clear how much Grant means to Carol, based on how fondly he has spoken of him. Carroll never missed an opportunity to tell a Bud Grant story. https://t.co/F3cf9tz8Xg
RJ Ochoa @rjochoa
One of the most influential people in NFL history.
Thoughts and prayers to the family and friends of Bud Grant. https://t.co/9IiY8GbitK
Mike 🐧🐬 @BurghFinsFan2
Damn, RIP Bud Grant. An absolute legend of a coach. 95 wonderful years on this planet. pic.twitter.com/jWmxtau6v8
Pavlos Hebekidis @PaulHembo
The chill that day was 25 below.
Bud Grant 🙏
Grant yet served as a consultant for the Vikings many years after his retirement and maintained an office at the team’s facility. He served an active role with the team even during the 2022 season, where the team went 13-4 and won an NFC North title under first-time head coach Kevin O’Connell.
Grant and his wife, Pat, had six children.
