For those old enough to remember Bud Grant, with that steely eyed stare across the field, he had an interesting life, joined the Navy during WWII.
He was offered both NFL and NBA draft opportunities and originally took the NBA route with the Minnesota Lakers. He played for them a couple of seasons and was on the championship team. As of 2022, was the oldest NBA champion listed still alive.
He then left for the NFL and played for the Philadelphia Eagles and was a 6'3", 199lbs, DE and lead the team in sacks, but switched over to play WR and was second in the league that second season with 997 yards on 56 catches. Philadelphia didn't want to pay him what he thought he was worth and he went North to Canada and played with the CFL Winnipeg Bombers From 1953-1956 as an "Offensive End" and was a three time all-star. The guy was Mr. Utility man.
Then he coached the Winnipeg Bombers as a head coach from 1957-1967 and during that time he took the Bombers to 6 grey cup games (Canada's Super Bowl) and won four of them (58,59,61,62) He stayed on as coach until he was Lured into taking the Minnesota Vikings head coaching job in 1967.
As head coach of the Minnesota Vikings from 1967-1985, lead them to 1st place in their conference 11 times. Went to the Super Bowl 4 times and never won it. Finished his coaching career at Minnesota with a record of 158-96-5. His combined career with Winnipeg and Minnesota was 260-152-7.
A statue was erected in Winnipeg of Bud and he was inducted into their ring of honor. He is the first coach to lead a Canadian team to the Grey Cup and US team to the Super Bowl. Marv Levy was the only other NFL/Candian coach to do that.
Grant was still listed as a consultant to Minnesota Vikings up until he died.
To say this guy lived a full life is an understatement. May he rest in peace!
He was offered both NFL and NBA draft opportunities and originally took the NBA route with the Minnesota Lakers. He played for them a couple of seasons and was on the championship team. As of 2022, was the oldest NBA champion listed still alive.
He then left for the NFL and played for the Philadelphia Eagles and was a 6'3", 199lbs, DE and lead the team in sacks, but switched over to play WR and was second in the league that second season with 997 yards on 56 catches. Philadelphia didn't want to pay him what he thought he was worth and he went North to Canada and played with the CFL Winnipeg Bombers From 1953-1956 as an "Offensive End" and was a three time all-star. The guy was Mr. Utility man.
Then he coached the Winnipeg Bombers as a head coach from 1957-1967 and during that time he took the Bombers to 6 grey cup games (Canada's Super Bowl) and won four of them (58,59,61,62) He stayed on as coach until he was Lured into taking the Minnesota Vikings head coaching job in 1967.
As head coach of the Minnesota Vikings from 1967-1985, lead them to 1st place in their conference 11 times. Went to the Super Bowl 4 times and never won it. Finished his coaching career at Minnesota with a record of 158-96-5. His combined career with Winnipeg and Minnesota was 260-152-7.
A statue was erected in Winnipeg of Bud and he was inducted into their ring of honor. He is the first coach to lead a Canadian team to the Grey Cup and US team to the Super Bowl. Marv Levy was the only other NFL/Candian coach to do that.
Grant was still listed as a consultant to Minnesota Vikings up until he died.
To say this guy lived a full life is an understatement. May he rest in peace!
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