Minnesota Legend Bud Grant Dead ai 95

[msslave]

Long time Vikings coach Bud Grant died yesterday at the age of 95. There's sadness at the loss of this great man, but also a celebration of joy for the remarkable life he lived.

Before becoming the Vikings coach he was a star athlete at the University of Minnesota, playing football, basketball and baseball. He played professional basketball for the Minnesota Lakers. Went on to play in the Canadian football league and started his coaching career there.

After returning to Minnesota to coach the floundering ,Vikings, he soon turned them into a winning team leading the Vikes to 4 Super Bowls. Many talk about the 4 loses, forgetting the impressive number of wins Bud piled up getting there.

On the sidelines he's best remembered as that stoic figure watching his team play. The Vikings played in an outdoor stadium during Minnesota's cold weather. Many of us remember his ban on heaters on the sidelines and no gloves for the players. And he was right there with them enduring the cold.

In negotiating his last contract with the Vikings, he demanded.and got a permanent office at the Viking's headquarters with a window! Players and coaches were free to stop by for advice or just to chat.

If we had a Mount Rushmore in Minnesota, the sculptors would be out there now carving his stoic visage in the rock. He was a true hero who's loss will be mourned but his many accomplishments will be remembered with love and joy.

https://www.startribune.com/bud-grant-minnesota-vikings-coach-dies-minnesota-legend/600258060/

[Pornhubby]

I saw this, and I immediately thought of you Bob. I know you’re not an “avid” Viking fan, but having lived in the city of Minneapolis during the Bud Grant era, I can only imagine how this has affected everybody. Memory eternal.

[msslave]

Thanks for that. During the Bud Grant years I was still up north in Bemidji. Huge Vikings town as their first few summer training camps were there.

My wife and her kids were big fans and I watched the games too as it was the major topic of conversation the next day. Usually I was asleep by the half

Wife's minister told her he never had so much marriage counseling as when the Vikings were in town.
In fact neighbors on the next block had a Viking offspring and our kids often played with him and his half brothers

Guess it was some wild times back then.

Sunday's paper featured a full page photo of Bud on the front page and inside was full of tributes and memories.