Bud Grant, Longtime Minnesota Vikings Coach, Dies at 95

After finishing with a 7-9 record in 1985, he retired a second time. He finished his career eighth in total coaching victories.

Despite retiring with the dubious distinction of having lost four Super Bowls, Grant said he had no regrets. “I’m not sure it bothers me as much as it might bother some other people,” he said.

Harry Peter Grant Jr. was born on May 20, 1927, in Superior, Wis., the oldest of six children. His father, a fireman, practiced with the Duluth Eskimos, an early N.F.L. team. His mother, Bernice Evelyn (Kielly) Grant, a homemaker, called her son Buddy Boy to distinguish him from her husband. Over time, the nickname was shortened to Bud.

After contracting polio as a boy, Bud strengthened his legs by shooting baskets and catching passes. By seventh grade, he was organizing football games between neighborhoods; in high school, he was a football, basketball and baseball star. Between high school and college, he served in the Navy. At the Great Lakes Naval Training Station, he played football for Paul Brown and basketball for Weeb Ewbank, both of whom went on to coach in the N.F.L.

At the University of Minnesota, Grant was a two-time all-Big Ten receiver in football, a two-year baseball star and a three-year basketball regular. He never finished his degree, opting instead for a career in sports.

Although a first-round draft choice of the Philadelphia Eagles in 1950, Grant delayed his N.F.L. debut to play for the Minneapolis Lakers of the N.B.A. midway through his senior year in college. He played two seasons as a backup and was part of a title-winning team his rookie year.

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/11/sports/football/bud-grant-dead.html