Legendary Vikings head coach Bud Grant's life celebrated at US Bank Stadium
MINNEAPOLIS -- Family, friends and Minnesota Vikings legends gathered at U.S. Bank Stadium Sunday to celebrate Hall of Fame coach Bud Grant's life.
In a ceremony hosted by former WCCO sports director Mark Rosen, Grant was remembered as a titan of the Minnesota sports world, an enthusiastic outdoorsman, a great friend and a family man.
"You had to earn his respect through your work ethic and being present," said Rosen.
Rosen started his career covering the Vikings halfway into Bud's tenure. But over the years, Grant became more of a father figure and mentor to Rosen, rather than an interview for a story.
"Just the profound impact he made on you in a quiet way, and I think there are life lessons that I learned from Bud that have carried me through," said Rosen. "I think that's why people here, and around the state of Minnesota, it's so unique, resonate with Bud, because he was one of us."
Grant's son, Mike, remembered him as "the most recognizable sports figure in Minnesota sports."
Watch The Full Ceremony Here
"His legacy through the upper Midwest will live through all of us," Mike Grant said. "Dad loved being a representative of the upper Midwest, especially Minnesota. I know you loved him as we did."
Current Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell and Bud Grant would meet weekly during the season, meetings he said he would "miss more than anything" now that he's gone.
READ MORE: Legendary Vikings head coach Bud Grant dies at 95
"Although I didn't know Bud personally long, it was maybe one of the more impactful relationships that I've had over the past year since being blessed to become the head coach of the Minnesota Vikings," O'Connell said.
Grant's heroism and leadership was also recognized by U.S. lawmakers at the memorial. Sen. Amy Klobuchar presented the special congressional recognition to the Grant family. Klobuchar's father, journalist Jim Klobuchar, was a close friend of the late Vikings legend. She called Grant "a hero not only for Minnesota, but for our nation."
Former players Carl Eller, Chuck Foreman, Stu Voigt and Scott Studwell closed the ceremony out.
"When I heard of Bud's passing, the first thing that came to mind was Bud's not supposed to die," Studwell said. "Bud's supposed to live forever, because that's the kind of aura that he had."
Even though Grant would never waste a beautiful day being inside, hundreds showed up and traveled far distances to do just that.
"I grew up with the Vikings, my dad was the world's biggest Vikings fan, and said that Bud Grant was probably the greatest coach to ever live," said Linda Goneau, of Roseville.
"It's hard to say because it's like what are you crying for? Because it's a part of an era, you grew up with these guys, right?" said Greg Bark, of New Prague.
"He even signed a photo to me with those words: 'To a good friend,'" said Joe Florenzano. "He loved the conversation. He wanted to know what I was doing, he wanted to know how I felt, and I'll treasure that the rest of my life."
This celebration of life ended as all good Vikings celebrations do – with a SKOL chant.
