Bud Grant

Harry Peter "Bud" Grant (born May 20, 1927) is best known as the legendary head coach of the American football team the Minnesota Vikings.

Related Topics:
May 20 - 1927 - American football - Minnesota Vikings

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Bud Grant was born in Superior, Wisconsin. He attended the University of Minnesota. He starred in three sports for the Golden Gophers, American football, basketball, and baseball.

Related Topics:
Superior, Wisconsin - University of Minnesota - Golden Gophers - American football - Basketball - Baseball

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After leaving the University of Minnesota in 1949, he first played professional basketball with the NBA's Minneapolis Lakers, averaging 2.6 ppg in his two seasons. He was selected in the first round of the NFL's college draft in 1950 by the Philadelphia Eagles. In 1953 Bud Grant signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League. He played for that team until 1956 when he was made head coach of the team. He would remain the head coach of the Blue Bombers until 1966. He led the team to the Grey Cup for six years and the Bombers won four titles.

Related Topics:
1949 - NBA - Minneapolis Lakers - NFL - 1950 - Philadelphia Eagles - 1953 - Winnipeg Blue Bombers - Canadian Football League - 1956 - 1966 - Grey Cup

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Grant was named the head coach of the Minnesota Vikings in 1967, taking over for original coach Norm Van Brocklin. In his second year, he led the team to a divisional championship. In 1969, he led the team to its first NFL Championship and their first appearance in the Super Bowl. The team lost that game to the American Football League champions Kansas City Chiefs. The Vikings would appear in 3 more Super Bowls under Grant and lose each one. However, he was the first coach to coach in four Super Bowls. Grant's team won 11 divisional championships between 1968 and 1980. Bud Grant retired after the 1983 season and was followed in the post by Les Steckel, who led the team in a miserable 3–13 season. Grant returned as coach for the Vikings in 1985 and then retired for a second time, succeeded by Jerry Burns.

Related Topics:
Minnesota Vikings - 1967 - Norm Van Brocklin - 1969 - Super Bowl - American Football League - Kansas City Chiefs - 1968 - 1980 - 1983 - Les Steckel - 1985 - Jerry Burns

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Bud Grant is a member of both the Canadian Football Hall of Fame and the US Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Related Topics:
Canadian Football Hall of Fame - US - Pro Football Hall of Fame

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