Legendary NFL Coach and Hall of Famer Bud Grant Passes Away at 95

The Minnesota Vikings and the NFL have announced the passing of legendary head coach and Hall of Famer Bud Grant. Grant passed away this morning at the age of 95.

Grant was the head coach of the Minnesota Vikings from 1967 to 1983 and 1985. He led the team to four Super Bowls in eight years and was known for his stoic and demanding demeanor on the sidelines. He was often seen wearing his trademark purple Vikings cap and his stone-faced expression became synonymous with his teams.

Grant was part of a decorated group of coaches of his era, including Don Shula, Tom Landry, Chuck Noll, John Madden and Hank Stram. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1994.

The Vikings released a statement saying, “We, like all Vikings and NFL fans, are shocked and saddened by this terrible news.”

Grant was born in Superior, Wisconsin in 1927 and attended the University of Minnesota. He was a two-sport athlete and was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 1950 NFL Draft. He played for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League from 1953 to 1956, and then returned to the NFL in 1957. He was the head coach of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers from 1957 to 1966.

Grant is survived by his wife, Barbara, and their four children. He will be remembered as one of the greatest coaches in NFL history.