Bud Grant, who coached the Minnesota Vikings through their greatest years, died at the age of 95 on Saturday.
The team announced the death of the coach who led the Purple People Eaters to four Super bowls.
Grant was beloved during his time on the sidelines and more so after his career.
Grant was the first person to be inducted into both the CFL Hall of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He had a career regular-season record of 158-96-5 in the NFL and 102-56-2 in the CFL and went a combined 26-20-1 in the postseason between the two leagues.
We are absolutely devastated to announce legendary Minnesota Vikings head coach and Hall of Famer Bud Grant has passed away this morning at age 95.
We, like all Vikings and NFL fans, are shocked and saddened by this terrible news. pic.twitter.com/z2NNlNAY44
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) March 11, 2023
We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Minnesota sports legend Bud Grant.
A #Gophers great, Bud played football, basketball and baseball at the U, earning nine letters from 1946-49. He was 95.
Rest in peace, Bud Grant. pic.twitter.com/vhYOpURjhN
— Minnesota Gophers (@GopherSports) March 11, 2023
Bud Grant had one of the most unique careers in sports history:
-3 Sport Star for Gophers
-Drafted by the Lakers
-Won a Title with Lakers (Sid Hartman was GM)
-Drafted by the Eagles
-Played 2 Years in the NFL
-Went to the CFL for More Money
-Became CFL AND NFL Hall of Fame Coach pic.twitter.com/VmWUy0lNX2— Purple FTW! Podcast (@PurpleForTheWin) March 11, 2023
Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell offered his condolences and thoughts:
“I am so saddened by today’s news. Before joining the Vikings I had long known the legacy of Bud Grant, the Minnesota icon who carried himself with class and integrity. From afar, I admired his impact on the Vikings franchise and the NFL. And then I got here and Bud was one of the first people to warmly greet me when I walked through the doors of this facility. I didn’t realize at the time I would be so blessed to build a close friendship with him over the next year.
Bud was gracious with his time, meeting in his office weekly to discuss football and life. I will forever cherish those conversations because they made me a better coach, a better husband and father and a better person. It is an honor to lead the same organization he once did, and there is no question Bud’s positive influence will have a lasting impact on me moving forward. My heart goes out to Pat and Bud’s family during this difficult time.” – Vikings Head Coach Kevin O’Connell
The Pro Football Hall of Fame issued a statement:
“There are so many adjectives appropriate to describe Coach Bud Grant: legendary, determined, successful. 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,” said Jim Porter, president of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
“Coach Grant remained connected to the Hall well into his 90s,” Porter said, “often reaching out to staff members in Canton to share his opinions about the game and how the Hall was representing it and his beloved Minnesota Vikings.
“The Hall sends its condolences to the entire Vikings organization and Grant family. We will preserve his legacy forever in Canton.”