Bud Grant- Another Part Of My Childhood Departs The Scene
You can take this boy out of Minnesota, but you'll never take Minnesota out of this boy
Bud Grant epitomized Minnesota toughness. He stalked the sidelines with a whistle around his neck, guiding with a no-nonsense presence. He preached discipline and turned that mentality into four Canadian Football League championships as a head coach and four Super Bowl appearances with the Vikings. He enjoyed fishing and hunting. Heck, he wore short sleeves to a playoff game when he was 88 and it was six-below outside.
Growing up in the frozen tundra of northern Minnesota, the Minnesota Vikings were one of the mainstays of my life. Their first season in the National Football League (NFL) was in 1961 when I was all of one, so I’ve been a fan since I was old enough to know what football was.
I grew up with the Purple People Eaters, games played outdoors in below-freezing temperatures, and four Super Bowls- all of which the Vikings lost. Oh, and the “Hail Mary” originated in Minnesota, which is why I hate the Dallas Cowboys with the fiery passion of a thousand flaming suns. So yes, raised hopes and crushing disappointments have been part and parcel of life in Minnesota. We know pain and trying setbacks.