![]() Grant led Minnesota and its might Purple People Eats defence to its first playoff appearance in 1968 and the first of four Super Bowl appearances the following year. "The WFC offers its deepest condolences to the Grant family and his many friends and former players, both here in Winnipeg and in Minnesota." "His teams were tough, disciplined, intelligent and won consistently, as evidenced by the Grey Cup championships won during his tenure. ![]() "Bud Grant is a Blue Bombers icon who set the standard as a coach in the Canadian Football League in Winnipeg and later became a Pro Football Hall of Famer in the same role with the Minnesota Vikings," said Winnipeg Football Club President and CEO Wade Miller. He'd amassed a solid 102-56-2 regular-season record with the Bombers and was a stellar 13-4 in the CFL playoffs. Grant left Winnipeg following the '66 season to join the Vikings. Ultimately, Grant was asked if he'd be interested in coaching the team and so he thought he'd give it a try. Shortly after the crash Grant, still in Vancouver, received a call from team president Jim Russell, who told Grant club officials wanted to speak with him upon his return to Winnipeg. The original flight Grant was booked on - Trans Canada Air Lines Flight 810 - crashed into Mount Slesse in British Columbia's Cascade Mountains, killing all 62 passengers.īut Saskatchewan Roughriders Mel Becket, Mario DeMarco, Ray Syrnyk and Gordon Sturtridge along with Winnipeg offensive lineman Calvin Jones - a former Outland Trophy winner at Iowa - were all aboard the fateful flight. Grant also boasted a 16-8-1 record in 25 career playoff games.Īll of Grant's coaching success was because he had opted to take a later flight out of Vancouver following the 1956 CFL all-star game. Grant recorded a club-record 102 regular-season wins and was named the CFL's top coach in 1965 after posting a 11-5-0 record. He led Winnipeg to six Grey Cup appearances from 1957-'66, winning four times (1958-59, '61-'62). Grant became the Bombers' head coach in 1957 at the age of 29. "Sending our condolences to his family and friends during this difficult time." What he accomplished in his playing and coaching career was legendary and inspiring. "He impacted so many lives on and off the field. "Growing up in Winnipeg, Bud Grant was a fixture in the community," said CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie in a tweet. Winnipeg reached the '53 Grey Cup final but lost 12-6 to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. ![]() He also had a CFL-record five interceptions in a playoff game in 1953, a mark that still stands. Grant played four seasons with Winnipeg, leading the West Division in catches three times and receiving yards twice. was the first player to play out his option and leave for another team. He earned an NBA title in 1950 with the Minnesota Lakers and registered eight sacks in '51 and was second in receiving with the Philadelphia Eagles in 1952 before joining the Bombers, who had offered him more money. The six-foot-three, 199-pound Grant was a three-sport star (football, basketball and baseball) at the University of Minnesota and was selected in both the NFL and NBA drafts in 1950. “We, like all Vikings and NFL fans, are shocked and saddened by this terrible news.” ![]() “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 post said. The Vikings confirmed Grant's death on social media on Saturday. Bud Grant, who won four Grey Cups as the Winnipeg Blue Bombers head coach and would later lead the Minnesota Vikings to four Super Bowl losses, has died.
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