Blue Bombers unveil statue of coaching legend Bud Grant
CBC News | Posted: October 23, 2014 5:33 PM | Last Updated: October 23, 2014
A bronze statue of legendary Blue Bomber coach, Bud Grant, was unveiled Thursday in Winnipeg.
And the man himself, who led the Blue and Gold to four Grey Cup championships in a five-year span, was on hand to watch.
Grant played in the NFL for the Philadelphia Eagles in 1951-52 and moved to the CFL's Bombers from 1953-56, playing both receiver and defensive end. He still holds the CFL record for the most interceptions in a playoff game — five.
He coached the Bombers from 1957 until 1966 and under his guidance, led them to six Grey Cup appearances, winning four times: 1958, '59, '61 and '62. Grant finished his Bomber coaching career with a record of 122 wins, 66 losses, and 3 ties.
He was lured back to the NFL as head coach of the expansion Minnesota Vikings from 1967–1983 and 1985, leading them to four NFC championships.
Grant was named CFL coach of the year in 1965 and NFL coach of the year in 1969.
He is the third winningest coach in all of professional football with 290 wins in the NFL and CFL combined, is a CFL Hall of Famer and a Pro Football Hall of Famer.