[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 6 (Tuesday, February 1, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: February 1, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                          TRIBUTE TO BUD GRANT

 Mr. DURENBERGER. Mr. President, this past Saturday former 
Minnesota Vikings head coach Bud Grant was elected to the Pro Football 
Hall of Fame. In doing so, he joins former Vikings Fran Tarkenton and 
Alan Page as a representative of the great Vikings teams of the 1970's.
  Although Bud is best known for his accomplishments as a coach, he 
also had a diverse and successful career in professional sports before 
he ever put on a headset. He not only played football for the NFL's 
Philadelphia Eagles and the CFL's Winnipeg Blue Bombers, but also 
basketball for the NBA's Minneapolis Lakers.
  But it was his years as a coach which assured him his place in 
Canton. In 1957 he became the coach of the Blue Bombers and in a 10-
year span amassed 122 victories and 4 Grey Cup titles. It was this 
success which eventually brought him to Minnesota were he compiled an 
outstanding record of 168-109-5, with 12 playoff berths and 4 Super 
Bowl appearances during his 17-year career. In fact, between the years 
of 1969 and 1977, Grant's Vikings proved to be one of the most dominant 
teams in the history of the NFL as they represented first the NFL and 
then, after the league merger the NFC, in 4 of the first 11 Super 
Bowls.
  As former Viking defensive end Bob Lurtsema said, ``What made Bud 
such a great coach was his unique style of saying nothing. Just one 
look from Bud would maintain your 110-percent effort.'' These are the 
memories which a generation of Minnesotans carry with them as Bud Grant 
and his never changing persona remain on the sidelines of Metropolitan 
Stadium on a cold and snow-swept Sunday afternoon.

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