Bud Grant led great Vikings teams

Like most Minnesotans, I was saddened to read that former Vikings Coach Bud Grant passed away last month. I never met the man personally, but felt near-bowing reverence. Like many fans, I’m sending my sincere condolences to his kids, grandkids and great-grandkids.

Grant was a tremendous athlete. Born and brought up in nearby Superior, Wisconsin, he was a three-sport high school letterman in football, basketball and baseball. Maybe he played hoops in the Cloquet gymnasium?

He entered the military straight out of high school, but soon World War II concluded. Grant asked for a deferment from the...