Former Vikings coach Bud Grant passed away at the age of 95 on Saturday prompting an outpouring of memories and love for the Minnesota legend.
The state of Minnesota was in mourning on Saturday with the news of former Vikings head coach Bud Grant’s passing at 95 years old.
Grant was a giant on the Minnesota sports scene. He coached the Vikings from 1967 to 1983 and again in 1985. Lifting the team to new heights with his tough approach to coaching, he led them to the 1969 NFL championship. He made it to the Super Bowl four times with the team but never broke through with a win.
“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,” the Vikings tweeted the news on Saturday.
Vikings fans, former players and other admirers took to Twitter to express their grief over Grant’s passing and to share what he meant to the sports world.
Vikings fans shared memories and love after Bud Grant’s passing
Grant was born in Wisconsin but he played for Minnesota in college. He was selected by the Eagles in the first round of the 1950 NFL draft but he left after a couple of years to join the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the Canadian Football League.
His playing days in Winnipeg quickly shifted to coaching as he took over as the Blue Bombers’ head coach in 1957. He went on to win four Grey Cups before the Vikings came calling in 1967.
While he retired in 1985 with a 158-96 record, he remained deeply involved in the franchise as a consultant up until his passing. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1994.
Fans across social media recalled his toughness, especially against the cold northern winters. When he was 88 years old, he famously wore a short-sleeved shirt to midfield for a pregame coin flip when it was minus-six degrees outside.
