1 00:00:00,040 --> 00:00:02,960 Speaker 1: Welcome to a special edition of the Minnesota Vikings Podcast. 2 00:00:03,040 --> 00:00:05,840 Speaker 1: My name is Gabe Henderson. I'm alongside Vikings dot COM's 3 00:00:05,840 --> 00:00:09,600 Speaker 1: Tatum Everett and producer Eric Davidson. We are sat into 4 00:00:09,960 --> 00:00:14,560 Speaker 1: record and to announce that Hall of Fame head coach, 5 00:00:14,600 --> 00:00:18,840 Speaker 1: former Vikings great Bud Grant was laid to rest this 6 00:00:18,880 --> 00:00:22,159 Speaker 1: past weekend on March eleventh, and he left behind a 7 00:00:22,239 --> 00:00:27,479 Speaker 1: long legacy of friends, family, people that admired him, fans, 8 00:00:28,080 --> 00:00:30,520 Speaker 1: and today, coming up later on the podcast, we're going 9 00:00:30,600 --> 00:00:33,640 Speaker 1: to use this portion to just talk to a few 10 00:00:33,640 --> 00:00:37,600 Speaker 1: people that not only played and coached with Bud Grant, 11 00:00:37,640 --> 00:00:40,760 Speaker 1: but also we're like family to him. Tatum, we have 12 00:00:40,840 --> 00:00:44,800 Speaker 1: Mammad Rashad, we have Paul Wiggin, and we have Chuck 13 00:00:44,800 --> 00:00:46,800 Speaker 1: for him and all three of those guys who know 14 00:00:47,120 --> 00:00:51,120 Speaker 1: and respect Bud Grant very well. But this news is 15 00:00:51,159 --> 00:00:54,520 Speaker 1: definitely big for this Minnesota community, is big for the NFL, 16 00:00:54,600 --> 00:00:57,000 Speaker 1: and I think just as a father and as a 17 00:00:57,040 --> 00:01:01,160 Speaker 1: man like he definitely is leaving behind a legacy that 18 00:01:01,480 --> 00:01:04,520 Speaker 1: will be forever cherished by many people. Yeah, this one 19 00:01:04,600 --> 00:01:07,160 Speaker 1: hurts a little bit more. I think when you think 20 00:01:07,160 --> 00:01:11,240 Speaker 1: of the Vikings and how they were this fledgling franchise 21 00:01:11,319 --> 00:01:14,440 Speaker 1: and Bud Grant gave them life and gave them success. 22 00:01:14,480 --> 00:01:16,840 Speaker 1: And you think about the eleven division titles, the four 23 00:01:16,920 --> 00:01:20,520 Speaker 1: super Bowl appearances, all of those things, you think about 24 00:01:20,560 --> 00:01:22,960 Speaker 1: Bud Grant being successful. But I think as you take 25 00:01:23,000 --> 00:01:27,120 Speaker 1: a listen to our conversations with Chuck, Ahmad and Paul, 26 00:01:27,720 --> 00:01:31,720 Speaker 1: you realize that it wasn't really about the records and 27 00:01:31,760 --> 00:01:34,720 Speaker 1: the championships and the wins and losses. It was more 28 00:01:34,720 --> 00:01:39,520 Speaker 1: about how he treated people, his leadership abilities. And I 29 00:01:39,560 --> 00:01:41,800 Speaker 1: like the I like some of the snarkier stories. I 30 00:01:41,840 --> 00:01:44,280 Speaker 1: think one thing I took away from this is as 31 00:01:44,319 --> 00:01:47,400 Speaker 1: sad as we are, and you know, he had ninety 32 00:01:47,400 --> 00:01:51,840 Speaker 1: five years of just greatness on earth. You look at 33 00:01:51,920 --> 00:01:53,920 Speaker 1: him as a as a as a human being, as 34 00:01:53,920 --> 00:01:56,520 Speaker 1: a person, and all these three people just describe him 35 00:01:56,520 --> 00:01:59,120 Speaker 1: and remember him, and they were joyful about it. You know, 36 00:01:59,200 --> 00:02:02,200 Speaker 1: I think, I think this, if anything, as sad as 37 00:02:02,240 --> 00:02:04,320 Speaker 1: this is, this is a time to really reflect on 38 00:02:04,400 --> 00:02:07,920 Speaker 1: him as a person, reflect on his legacy, and celebrate 39 00:02:08,440 --> 00:02:11,480 Speaker 1: what he did with his ninety five years. It's incredible. 40 00:02:11,680 --> 00:02:15,000 Speaker 1: And we hope that you enjoy these conversations because I 41 00:02:15,040 --> 00:02:17,639 Speaker 1: know I certainly did. Yeah, it's a celebration of life. 42 00:02:17,680 --> 00:02:21,520 Speaker 1: And a famous Bud Grant quote that he always said 43 00:02:21,600 --> 00:02:24,840 Speaker 1: is if winning or losing is going to define your life, 44 00:02:24,880 --> 00:02:27,399 Speaker 1: you're on a rough road. And a lot of these 45 00:02:27,440 --> 00:02:31,440 Speaker 1: guys that we're going to talk to, they will embody 46 00:02:32,120 --> 00:02:34,720 Speaker 1: what that means and what Bud Grant meant to them 47 00:02:35,360 --> 00:02:38,960 Speaker 1: by just that simple sentence. So, without further ado, we 48 00:02:39,040 --> 00:02:41,919 Speaker 1: get into our first interview of the day. Joining us 49 00:02:41,960 --> 00:02:44,600 Speaker 1: on the line on the podcast right now is a 50 00:02:44,639 --> 00:02:47,800 Speaker 1: man that I would say everyone knows he's a legend 51 00:02:47,840 --> 00:02:51,160 Speaker 1: in the Minnesota Vikings community, but he's also a legend 52 00:02:51,160 --> 00:02:55,120 Speaker 1: in the NBA community. But he spent his last few 53 00:02:55,200 --> 00:02:58,960 Speaker 1: years playing wide receiver for the Vikings Underbud Grant, and 54 00:02:59,000 --> 00:03:02,399 Speaker 1: he now joins the show. Mister Ahmad Rashad Ahmad, thanks 55 00:03:02,400 --> 00:03:04,840 Speaker 1: for joining. Oh my pleasure. Nice to speak to you 56 00:03:04,840 --> 00:03:09,000 Speaker 1: guys this morning. Absolutely. The first thing that comes to 57 00:03:09,080 --> 00:03:11,359 Speaker 1: mind is, you know, with with you know, the late 58 00:03:11,400 --> 00:03:14,600 Speaker 1: passing of Bud Grant, a guy that, as Tom West 59 00:03:14,720 --> 00:03:16,480 Speaker 1: is in studio with us. He said, you know you 60 00:03:16,520 --> 00:03:20,120 Speaker 1: were one of his favorites. Um, I know that relationship 61 00:03:20,200 --> 00:03:23,720 Speaker 1: had to build over time, but how would you just describe, 62 00:03:23,880 --> 00:03:27,480 Speaker 1: you know, your relationship, your friendship with with Bud Grant. Well, 63 00:03:27,520 --> 00:03:29,800 Speaker 1: you know, my you know, I had always heard about 64 00:03:29,800 --> 00:03:31,720 Speaker 1: Bud Grant growing up. He was one of the greatest 65 00:03:31,760 --> 00:03:35,960 Speaker 1: coaches in the NFL, and he was you know, everybody 66 00:03:36,040 --> 00:03:37,880 Speaker 1: knew that he was one of these guys that didn't 67 00:03:37,880 --> 00:03:40,720 Speaker 1: smile much, didn't talk much. He was a tough guy, 68 00:03:41,000 --> 00:03:44,119 Speaker 1: a really tough guy. And we played against my rookie year, 69 00:03:44,160 --> 00:03:46,880 Speaker 1: we played against Minnesota. I think I scored a tough touchdown. 70 00:03:47,480 --> 00:03:49,720 Speaker 1: And you know, a couple of years later, when it 71 00:03:49,760 --> 00:03:53,680 Speaker 1: came time for me to get to Minnesota, I was 72 00:03:53,720 --> 00:03:55,920 Speaker 1: a little leary thinking that, man, I know, Budd, it's 73 00:03:55,960 --> 00:03:58,360 Speaker 1: a tough dude. Man everybody ever asked about him, and 74 00:03:58,440 --> 00:04:01,040 Speaker 1: he's a tough guy. But we hit it off like 75 00:04:01,360 --> 00:04:04,680 Speaker 1: best friends in high school. He was one of the 76 00:04:04,720 --> 00:04:07,720 Speaker 1: greatest people that I've ever been around. And the first 77 00:04:07,720 --> 00:04:09,880 Speaker 1: thing that he did he said, hey, let me make 78 00:04:09,880 --> 00:04:12,360 Speaker 1: sure I say your name correctly. I respect that, but 79 00:04:12,440 --> 00:04:15,600 Speaker 1: audadda die on and on and on, and he this 80 00:04:15,680 --> 00:04:17,320 Speaker 1: is my first day at practice. When he said that, 81 00:04:17,480 --> 00:04:19,640 Speaker 1: it was just, you know, I was a little nervous 82 00:04:19,680 --> 00:04:22,000 Speaker 1: going to Minnesota, knowing how tough and strict they were, 83 00:04:22,240 --> 00:04:24,880 Speaker 1: but then once I got there, it was it was 84 00:04:24,920 --> 00:04:28,240 Speaker 1: a changing of my entire life and just an opportunity 85 00:04:28,360 --> 00:04:30,880 Speaker 1: to have an experience of being around a guy like 86 00:04:30,920 --> 00:04:33,320 Speaker 1: Bud that had a real effect on my life. Several 87 00:04:33,320 --> 00:04:35,120 Speaker 1: people have said that about Bud is a you know 88 00:04:35,120 --> 00:04:39,200 Speaker 1: these fantasy, that no nonsense, tough side of him. However, 89 00:04:39,320 --> 00:04:42,360 Speaker 1: Jim Marshall's also one who said, there are so many 90 00:04:42,360 --> 00:04:44,960 Speaker 1: other sides to Bud. What was your favorite side of 91 00:04:44,960 --> 00:04:47,920 Speaker 1: Budd that wasn't the tough guy that maybe fans or 92 00:04:48,000 --> 00:04:51,520 Speaker 1: people who aren't watching or around the team would know. 93 00:04:51,920 --> 00:04:55,040 Speaker 1: He was a practical joker. He used to try to 94 00:04:55,080 --> 00:04:57,679 Speaker 1: trick me with stuff on a daily basis, weekly basis, 95 00:04:57,800 --> 00:05:01,520 Speaker 1: you know, and never one own up to it. You know, 96 00:05:01,600 --> 00:05:04,680 Speaker 1: he knew that I wasn't really a big wildlife hunting, 97 00:05:05,000 --> 00:05:08,080 Speaker 1: fishing kind of guy, and so he would when he'd go, 98 00:05:08,320 --> 00:05:10,760 Speaker 1: you know, he'd go hunting for ducks or something like that, 99 00:05:10,880 --> 00:05:13,359 Speaker 1: or and when he comes back, I would always go 100 00:05:13,400 --> 00:05:15,880 Speaker 1: in my to my locker, get ready to put my 101 00:05:15,880 --> 00:05:18,359 Speaker 1: shoes on, and there would be duck feet in my shoes. 102 00:05:18,720 --> 00:05:20,720 Speaker 1: So he had cut off the l and put him 103 00:05:20,720 --> 00:05:23,400 Speaker 1: in my shoes. Now. It scared the hell out of 104 00:05:23,400 --> 00:05:26,800 Speaker 1: me one time of what it was. And I mean, 105 00:05:27,279 --> 00:05:28,599 Speaker 1: you know, it's like one of those things where you 106 00:05:28,640 --> 00:05:30,280 Speaker 1: look down at the end. I was the only one 107 00:05:30,320 --> 00:05:32,360 Speaker 1: in the locker room and I just looked down waiting 108 00:05:32,360 --> 00:05:33,680 Speaker 1: out at the other end of the locker room. I 109 00:05:33,720 --> 00:05:36,200 Speaker 1: saw him down in the end, you know, and I 110 00:05:36,279 --> 00:05:37,960 Speaker 1: knew he he had to be the only guy. He 111 00:05:38,080 --> 00:05:40,000 Speaker 1: never like, no, I don't know what you're talking about, 112 00:05:40,080 --> 00:05:42,760 Speaker 1: just walked right on buy. He also tried to trick me. 113 00:05:43,120 --> 00:05:46,000 Speaker 1: He had a lion in his office one time, a 114 00:05:46,080 --> 00:05:48,600 Speaker 1: lion from the zoo. A lion. Now, you know how 115 00:05:48,640 --> 00:05:52,800 Speaker 1: those zoo people have two animals, but he had. So 116 00:05:52,880 --> 00:05:54,719 Speaker 1: I was down in the locker room and he called 117 00:05:54,800 --> 00:05:56,120 Speaker 1: me to come up to see him. You get hey, 118 00:05:56,160 --> 00:05:57,320 Speaker 1: you gotta need to come up and talk to you. 119 00:05:57,720 --> 00:05:59,520 Speaker 1: So when I walked into doo, I saw this line. 120 00:05:59,520 --> 00:06:01,400 Speaker 1: It's scared the crap out of here. I almos had 121 00:06:01,400 --> 00:06:03,039 Speaker 1: a heart at that, and I just ran out and 122 00:06:03,040 --> 00:06:04,800 Speaker 1: never went back in. And you know what I did, 123 00:06:04,839 --> 00:06:07,240 Speaker 1: I never mentioned it, you know, because I knew he 124 00:06:07,320 --> 00:06:10,599 Speaker 1: did it, and I think I was trying to screw 125 00:06:10,680 --> 00:06:12,640 Speaker 1: up his joke. By going I didn't see no lion. 126 00:06:14,000 --> 00:06:15,560 Speaker 1: My knee on a chair trying to run out of 127 00:06:15,640 --> 00:06:18,560 Speaker 1: that room. That's quite the intimidation tack. Absolutely, I'm not 128 00:06:18,560 --> 00:06:21,720 Speaker 1: coming back after that. Yeah. But Budd, you know, Budd 129 00:06:21,800 --> 00:06:24,400 Speaker 1: was you know, Budd was Budd. You know he was 130 00:06:25,200 --> 00:06:28,680 Speaker 1: I think most people he was unapproachable. But did Jim Marshall. 131 00:06:28,760 --> 00:06:30,919 Speaker 1: He was Jim Marshall's best friend. He was he was 132 00:06:30,960 --> 00:06:33,520 Speaker 1: Budd was Jim Marshall that they were best friends. That 133 00:06:33,600 --> 00:06:36,960 Speaker 1: was a relationship that was really, really special, and I 134 00:06:37,040 --> 00:06:40,359 Speaker 1: really feel wonderful that I was part of that that thing. Also, 135 00:06:40,400 --> 00:06:42,160 Speaker 1: I mean, guys would call me Bud Junior because Bud 136 00:06:42,279 --> 00:06:45,239 Speaker 1: never made me. He never made me do anything because 137 00:06:45,240 --> 00:06:47,720 Speaker 1: the cold killed me. The cold killed me. And he 138 00:06:47,760 --> 00:06:50,080 Speaker 1: would keep me out of practice by calling me over 139 00:06:50,120 --> 00:06:52,320 Speaker 1: to talk to him for like twenty minutes about some 140 00:06:52,520 --> 00:06:54,480 Speaker 1: salt lick that he put out there on the field 141 00:06:54,960 --> 00:06:57,479 Speaker 1: so that when animals came in and got a chance 142 00:06:57,520 --> 00:07:00,159 Speaker 1: to do that, or he tell me about hunting the 143 00:07:00,200 --> 00:07:03,000 Speaker 1: next day for like twenty minutes while practice was going on, 144 00:07:03,360 --> 00:07:04,600 Speaker 1: and then at the end of the t he goes, okay, 145 00:07:04,640 --> 00:07:07,200 Speaker 1: you can go practice now, you know, because he knew 146 00:07:07,240 --> 00:07:10,760 Speaker 1: that the coal was killing me. I mean, I tried 147 00:07:10,800 --> 00:07:14,040 Speaker 1: to do everything to try to deal with that cold weather, 148 00:07:14,120 --> 00:07:16,840 Speaker 1: and he thought that was funny. I feel like that 149 00:07:16,840 --> 00:07:19,520 Speaker 1: that takes time to get to that point to be 150 00:07:19,560 --> 00:07:22,960 Speaker 1: called Bud Junior. So to be on Bud's good side, 151 00:07:23,240 --> 00:07:25,320 Speaker 1: what kind of qualities of a person did he look 152 00:07:25,360 --> 00:07:28,320 Speaker 1: for to be able to call a friends. I don't know, 153 00:07:28,600 --> 00:07:30,600 Speaker 1: but if you talk to any other guys on the 154 00:07:30,640 --> 00:07:32,240 Speaker 1: team when I was there, you asked him about the 155 00:07:32,280 --> 00:07:35,440 Speaker 1: book shot thing, because but just never had me. You know. 156 00:07:35,680 --> 00:07:38,320 Speaker 1: You know what, after a long time, I mean, I 157 00:07:38,400 --> 00:07:40,360 Speaker 1: retired and talked about it. I actually went back to him. 158 00:07:40,360 --> 00:07:42,600 Speaker 1: I said, you know, we couldn't wear long sleeve shirts. 159 00:07:42,720 --> 00:07:44,640 Speaker 1: You know, he wouldn't let anybody wear long sleeve shirts 160 00:07:44,680 --> 00:07:46,800 Speaker 1: even though it was that cold. And so I went 161 00:07:46,800 --> 00:07:49,440 Speaker 1: out and bought one, and I'm I'm saying to myself, 162 00:07:49,440 --> 00:07:51,280 Speaker 1: I'm gonna wear this till he makes me take it off. 163 00:07:51,440 --> 00:07:54,000 Speaker 1: He never made me take it off. All the guys 164 00:07:54,000 --> 00:07:55,800 Speaker 1: were giving me like, hey, how come he gets to 165 00:07:55,800 --> 00:07:58,160 Speaker 1: wear that or whatever it was, and he never made 166 00:07:58,160 --> 00:08:00,400 Speaker 1: me take it off. So I asked him about it, 167 00:08:00,440 --> 00:08:02,560 Speaker 1: and I said, but how come. I always wondered that, 168 00:08:02,840 --> 00:08:04,280 Speaker 1: how'd you let me? I used to go to the 169 00:08:04,360 --> 00:08:07,400 Speaker 1: store and buy like turtlenecks and stuff to wear up 170 00:08:07,440 --> 00:08:09,800 Speaker 1: under my uniform, which was a no no for you, 171 00:08:09,960 --> 00:08:12,480 Speaker 1: But you never told me to not do it, he said. 172 00:08:12,520 --> 00:08:14,880 Speaker 1: The reason I did that is because I knew I 173 00:08:14,920 --> 00:08:16,640 Speaker 1: was going to get more out of you than if 174 00:08:16,680 --> 00:08:18,400 Speaker 1: I made you take it off. Just kind of that 175 00:08:18,560 --> 00:08:22,640 Speaker 1: seems like a nice glimpse into his mind as a leader, 176 00:08:22,800 --> 00:08:25,920 Speaker 1: and really almost like ahead of his time. You know. 177 00:08:26,000 --> 00:08:28,480 Speaker 1: He he's known for his leadership. He's known for that. 178 00:08:28,640 --> 00:08:32,800 Speaker 1: So if you could describe what made him so special 179 00:08:32,840 --> 00:08:35,600 Speaker 1: as a leader, that made him so different and so successful, 180 00:08:35,679 --> 00:08:38,439 Speaker 1: how would you put it in a couple of sentences. 181 00:08:38,679 --> 00:08:41,040 Speaker 1: Bud knew how to get the best out of everybody, 182 00:08:41,120 --> 00:08:43,840 Speaker 1: no matter who the player was. He just knew how 183 00:08:43,880 --> 00:08:46,760 Speaker 1: to draw it out from each and every player. I 184 00:08:46,800 --> 00:08:48,600 Speaker 1: asked him one time, I said, Bud, you never yelled 185 00:08:48,600 --> 00:08:50,680 Speaker 1: at anybody. What's that about? He goes, I don't have 186 00:08:50,720 --> 00:08:52,880 Speaker 1: to yell him. I just cut him. Matter of fact, 187 00:08:52,880 --> 00:08:54,719 Speaker 1: he said that, like I don't have to yell him, 188 00:08:54,720 --> 00:08:58,800 Speaker 1: I just cut him, so honest. Okay, yeah, I guess 189 00:08:58,840 --> 00:09:03,000 Speaker 1: that he is. That works, but also you realize what 190 00:09:03,160 --> 00:09:07,320 Speaker 1: he I played every week for BUD. I played every 191 00:09:07,360 --> 00:09:09,320 Speaker 1: single time I got on a football field. I was 192 00:09:09,320 --> 00:09:12,720 Speaker 1: trying to impress him. I scored two three touchdowns in 193 00:09:12,720 --> 00:09:15,080 Speaker 1: the game. He'd be he was like my older brothers 194 00:09:15,080 --> 00:09:18,959 Speaker 1: like it, why don't you score four? It's right on walking. 195 00:09:19,320 --> 00:09:23,480 Speaker 1: So it was it was one of those kinds of relationships, 196 00:09:23,559 --> 00:09:27,520 Speaker 1: and it just got He was a pleasure, just a pleasure. 197 00:09:27,920 --> 00:09:30,720 Speaker 1: And we'd talked basketball because he was a big basketball fan, 198 00:09:31,040 --> 00:09:32,880 Speaker 1: so a lot of times when in practice when it 199 00:09:32,960 --> 00:09:35,240 Speaker 1: was like eight degrees or something, he called me over 200 00:09:35,280 --> 00:09:37,400 Speaker 1: this little arm warm area and we started talking about 201 00:09:37,440 --> 00:09:39,840 Speaker 1: basketball and how good of a defensive player he was 202 00:09:40,080 --> 00:09:42,560 Speaker 1: when he played for the Lakers. Yea. So it was 203 00:09:43,360 --> 00:09:47,720 Speaker 1: I got a nice note from Pat after he passed 204 00:09:47,760 --> 00:09:50,320 Speaker 1: That just almost brought tears to my eyes. But my 205 00:09:50,400 --> 00:09:53,040 Speaker 1: relationship with him and how he felt about it and 206 00:09:53,080 --> 00:09:55,439 Speaker 1: how they felt about it, and I felt the same way, 207 00:09:55,440 --> 00:09:57,400 Speaker 1: and it just was one of the warmest things that 208 00:09:57,440 --> 00:10:01,920 Speaker 1: I've ever that I've ever heard or realize how wonderful 209 00:10:01,920 --> 00:10:04,120 Speaker 1: it was for me to have that opportunity to play 210 00:10:04,160 --> 00:10:07,160 Speaker 1: under that guy and just to have his you know, 211 00:10:07,360 --> 00:10:10,600 Speaker 1: just his lifestyle and the way he approached life to 212 00:10:10,679 --> 00:10:13,160 Speaker 1: have an effect on me, that's beautiful. I'm just thinking 213 00:10:13,160 --> 00:10:16,199 Speaker 1: about just the basketball conversations that you guys had. What 214 00:10:16,360 --> 00:10:18,600 Speaker 1: he's the first ever head coach to both play in 215 00:10:18,640 --> 00:10:21,600 Speaker 1: the NFL and the NBA. And how that you know, 216 00:10:21,679 --> 00:10:24,360 Speaker 1: married together with you know, I guess leading a new 217 00:10:24,400 --> 00:10:27,240 Speaker 1: generation of offense in the NFL and defense when you 218 00:10:27,280 --> 00:10:29,840 Speaker 1: look at it. So when you just think about his 219 00:10:29,840 --> 00:10:32,679 Speaker 1: his his life, you know, not only as a coach, 220 00:10:32,720 --> 00:10:35,640 Speaker 1: but as a man, just what are some things that 221 00:10:35,679 --> 00:10:38,480 Speaker 1: you know you want people to remember him ask. He 222 00:10:38,760 --> 00:10:41,520 Speaker 1: was as solid as they come. Whatever he said, he 223 00:10:41,559 --> 00:10:45,480 Speaker 1: made it happen. He never he had no amount of phoniness, 224 00:10:45,600 --> 00:10:48,080 Speaker 1: no crap, none of that stuff went on. We didn't 225 00:10:48,080 --> 00:10:51,079 Speaker 1: have him. We didn't even have rules on the team. 226 00:10:51,360 --> 00:10:53,280 Speaker 1: You know. Bud was like, you know, when you're wrong, 227 00:10:53,559 --> 00:10:56,680 Speaker 1: he said, I'm not gonna write these rules down, so 228 00:10:56,720 --> 00:10:59,040 Speaker 1: I can have somebody break one and I gotta you know, 229 00:10:59,120 --> 00:11:00,840 Speaker 1: kick him off the team for a week or whatever 230 00:11:00,840 --> 00:11:04,440 Speaker 1: it is. You know how to be and if you don't, 231 00:11:04,440 --> 00:11:06,920 Speaker 1: I'll get rid of you. That's it. It's just one 232 00:11:06,960 --> 00:11:08,720 Speaker 1: of those things like that, and that's kind of the way. 233 00:11:08,880 --> 00:11:12,040 Speaker 1: He had a tight ship, but he really had such 234 00:11:12,120 --> 00:11:14,680 Speaker 1: great guys to run it, like. Jim Marshall was probably 235 00:11:14,679 --> 00:11:16,960 Speaker 1: one of the greatest leaders I've ever been around, and 236 00:11:17,000 --> 00:11:19,679 Speaker 1: so is fran Tarkington, and those were our two big 237 00:11:19,720 --> 00:11:23,720 Speaker 1: time guys on that team that Bud turned everything over to. 238 00:11:24,000 --> 00:11:28,240 Speaker 1: AM truly appreciate your time. This is like just just 239 00:11:28,320 --> 00:11:31,000 Speaker 1: looking at your Instagram post the past couple of days. 240 00:11:31,040 --> 00:11:33,000 Speaker 1: I mean, I think your last five Instagram posts are 241 00:11:33,000 --> 00:11:35,800 Speaker 1: about Bud. But the one that really stands out to 242 00:11:35,800 --> 00:11:38,520 Speaker 1: me is just that I love you from a mad rashad, 243 00:11:38,600 --> 00:11:40,480 Speaker 1: so I can tell he meant a lot to you, 244 00:11:41,000 --> 00:11:43,679 Speaker 1: not only as a coach, but as a brother, as 245 00:11:43,720 --> 00:11:47,119 Speaker 1: a friend, and as a man. We was an autographed 246 00:11:47,160 --> 00:11:49,679 Speaker 1: signing thing up there in Minnesota in December and I 247 00:11:49,720 --> 00:11:51,760 Speaker 1: got to spend the whole evening with him. We sat 248 00:11:51,800 --> 00:11:53,840 Speaker 1: over in the corner and we laughed and we talked 249 00:11:53,880 --> 00:11:57,000 Speaker 1: and just he was so happy with what I had 250 00:11:57,000 --> 00:11:59,680 Speaker 1: done with my life since I left there, and Pat 251 00:11:59,720 --> 00:12:03,040 Speaker 1: was a same way. They were just wonderful people that 252 00:12:04,000 --> 00:12:07,240 Speaker 1: you know you can never forget, never forget, especially for me. 253 00:12:07,280 --> 00:12:09,080 Speaker 1: They were just so special to me. I love both 254 00:12:09,080 --> 00:12:12,320 Speaker 1: though Pat was great and Budge is great also. I 255 00:12:12,360 --> 00:12:14,640 Speaker 1: guess that moves into my last question, how much did 256 00:12:14,679 --> 00:12:18,680 Speaker 1: he influence your post playing career. Budd was always about 257 00:12:18,760 --> 00:12:22,079 Speaker 1: being excellent, you know, about putting the time in and 258 00:12:23,480 --> 00:12:25,720 Speaker 1: you know, having the pride of being able to do 259 00:12:25,800 --> 00:12:29,040 Speaker 1: something at a certain level. And he would always my 260 00:12:29,120 --> 00:12:31,880 Speaker 1: first interview. When I left Minnesota and went to work 261 00:12:31,880 --> 00:12:35,200 Speaker 1: for NBC, my first interview was with Budd. Budd didn't 262 00:12:35,200 --> 00:12:38,720 Speaker 1: do interviews. You want to do interwere if you want 263 00:12:38,720 --> 00:12:41,400 Speaker 1: to do an interwhere Buddy was like, yes, no, I 264 00:12:41,400 --> 00:12:45,600 Speaker 1: don't know that, but he was. He was. He was 265 00:12:45,640 --> 00:12:47,400 Speaker 1: the first person I did an interview, and it was 266 00:12:47,440 --> 00:12:51,760 Speaker 1: just such a wonderful, warm feeling of him maybe saying, 267 00:12:51,920 --> 00:12:54,240 Speaker 1: you know, we've had a wonderful time and now I'm 268 00:12:54,240 --> 00:12:56,040 Speaker 1: turning you over to the world. You know. That's kind 269 00:12:56,040 --> 00:12:57,640 Speaker 1: of the way I felt when I walked out of there, 270 00:12:57,840 --> 00:13:00,600 Speaker 1: and always felt just such a I to have been 271 00:13:00,679 --> 00:13:04,080 Speaker 1: part of the Vikings and Bud grant that that was 272 00:13:04,280 --> 00:13:06,880 Speaker 1: just you know, you can't make those things up. Awesome, Amad, 273 00:13:06,920 --> 00:13:10,440 Speaker 1: appreciate your time today. He is the one of in 274 00:13:10,480 --> 00:13:13,680 Speaker 1: my opinion, one of the best people to ever grace 275 00:13:13,800 --> 00:13:16,360 Speaker 1: the face of Earth and Bud Grant and to have 276 00:13:16,480 --> 00:13:19,840 Speaker 1: you just share these amazing stories about him. We truly 277 00:13:19,840 --> 00:13:22,520 Speaker 1: appreciate your time. Oh, thank you very much. It was 278 00:13:22,640 --> 00:13:24,680 Speaker 1: nice to be able to talk about a man that 279 00:13:24,760 --> 00:13:28,720 Speaker 1: I so admire and I will certainly miss, but he 280 00:13:28,840 --> 00:13:32,319 Speaker 1: had a huge impact on my life. Thank you so much. 281 00:13:32,559 --> 00:13:34,720 Speaker 1: I really appreciate your time. Thank you, sir, Oh you 282 00:13:34,760 --> 00:13:37,960 Speaker 1: will always great talking to the great Ama Rashad Now 283 00:13:38,040 --> 00:13:40,680 Speaker 1: from one Ring of Honor inductee to another. One of 284 00:13:40,720 --> 00:13:44,160 Speaker 1: the greatest running backs in franchise history. He was the 285 00:13:44,200 --> 00:13:46,520 Speaker 1: two thousand and seven Minnesoor the Vikings Ring of Honor 286 00:13:46,600 --> 00:13:51,920 Speaker 1: inductee who played seven of his eight seasons under Bud Grant. 287 00:13:52,160 --> 00:13:54,800 Speaker 1: Mister Chuck for him and Chuck, appreciate you joining us 288 00:13:54,800 --> 00:13:58,040 Speaker 1: and thank you for your time. No problem, I'm glad 289 00:13:58,080 --> 00:14:00,160 Speaker 1: to do it. Yeah, thanks for being here, Chuck. You know, 290 00:14:00,440 --> 00:14:04,240 Speaker 1: I know that seven or eight seasons under coach Grant 291 00:14:04,360 --> 00:14:06,960 Speaker 1: must have really shaped who you were as a player. 292 00:14:07,040 --> 00:14:10,240 Speaker 1: How would you describe the effect that coach Grant had 293 00:14:10,280 --> 00:14:13,000 Speaker 1: on your career? I think as far as football goes, 294 00:14:13,240 --> 00:14:15,040 Speaker 1: I don't think you could have had a better coach 295 00:14:15,240 --> 00:14:18,520 Speaker 1: as far as getting you prepared, telling you what you 296 00:14:18,559 --> 00:14:22,120 Speaker 1: need to know, and given you all the things that 297 00:14:22,160 --> 00:14:24,000 Speaker 1: you needed to be the best that you can be 298 00:14:25,000 --> 00:14:28,720 Speaker 1: on the professional level. And he taught you how to 299 00:14:28,800 --> 00:14:31,720 Speaker 1: be a professional. You know, everybody's a pro when they 300 00:14:31,760 --> 00:14:34,360 Speaker 1: get here, but you know, start as being a professional. 301 00:14:34,480 --> 00:14:37,680 Speaker 1: Knowing how to carry yourself, knowing how to maintain your 302 00:14:37,760 --> 00:14:40,520 Speaker 1: high level of performance, all those things that you need 303 00:14:40,520 --> 00:14:42,040 Speaker 1: to be to be the best that you can be. 304 00:14:43,240 --> 00:14:46,120 Speaker 1: He was able to bring it out of you. And 305 00:14:46,120 --> 00:14:48,120 Speaker 1: and that that says a lot about a you know, 306 00:14:48,160 --> 00:14:50,680 Speaker 1: a guy that comes, you know, fresh out of college, 307 00:14:50,720 --> 00:14:53,160 Speaker 1: gets drafted and then you know, goes on to win 308 00:14:53,320 --> 00:14:56,680 Speaker 1: the first ever NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 309 00:14:56,840 --> 00:15:00,440 Speaker 1: his first year under Bud Grant. For you, what was 310 00:15:00,520 --> 00:15:03,560 Speaker 1: that buying process that that Bud made you, that helped 311 00:15:03,560 --> 00:15:06,400 Speaker 1: you believe in yourself to be able to achieve such 312 00:15:06,400 --> 00:15:11,080 Speaker 1: an accomplishment like that? Well, I think, uh, in my opinion, Budd, 313 00:15:11,640 --> 00:15:15,680 Speaker 1: he didn't do anything without you know, doing his due diligence. 314 00:15:15,840 --> 00:15:18,000 Speaker 1: You know, I know for me anyway, when I last, 315 00:15:18,000 --> 00:15:20,920 Speaker 1: I've said on several occasions that when I got he 316 00:15:21,080 --> 00:15:22,960 Speaker 1: wasn't you know, at the University of Miami. I as 317 00:15:23,000 --> 00:15:27,320 Speaker 1: a wide receiver, cornerback and played running back, and then 318 00:15:27,440 --> 00:15:30,040 Speaker 1: went to the All Star Games. Remember being down the 319 00:15:30,120 --> 00:15:32,960 Speaker 1: senior bone and seeing this guy staring at me, kind 320 00:15:32,960 --> 00:15:35,080 Speaker 1: of coming over the standing next to me. I didn't 321 00:15:35,080 --> 00:15:37,440 Speaker 1: really know because the guy was saying, Bud Green over there, 322 00:15:37,520 --> 00:15:39,720 Speaker 1: checking you out. And you know, we had free in 323 00:15:39,800 --> 00:15:43,120 Speaker 1: targeting him here. And you know, the Bankings probably were 324 00:15:43,120 --> 00:15:46,680 Speaker 1: one of one of the first teams to start throwing 325 00:15:46,720 --> 00:15:49,400 Speaker 1: the ball to the backs a little bit. And then 326 00:15:49,480 --> 00:15:53,200 Speaker 1: when I got here, and you know, they decided to 327 00:15:53,520 --> 00:15:56,000 Speaker 1: take it to a different level. Him and Jerry Burns, 328 00:15:56,040 --> 00:15:59,160 Speaker 1: and he was, he was a guy that was away 329 00:15:59,200 --> 00:16:02,040 Speaker 1: before his time. I mean, he told me about the 330 00:16:02,080 --> 00:16:04,040 Speaker 1: offense they were going to try to run. And he 331 00:16:04,120 --> 00:16:06,160 Speaker 1: told me, also, now you're not going to get much 332 00:16:06,160 --> 00:16:08,560 Speaker 1: credit because they're only going to judge you about it 333 00:16:08,680 --> 00:16:10,840 Speaker 1: from your running yards. But what we're going to do 334 00:16:11,200 --> 00:16:14,320 Speaker 1: over here with the receiving thing is going to separate 335 00:16:14,400 --> 00:16:17,000 Speaker 1: you from everybody else. And he was, he was, he 336 00:16:17,080 --> 00:16:19,640 Speaker 1: was writing on so him and Jerry they created that 337 00:16:19,720 --> 00:16:22,640 Speaker 1: Purple offense now to call it the West Coast offense. 338 00:16:23,000 --> 00:16:25,640 Speaker 1: He was way before his time and that was the 339 00:16:25,760 --> 00:16:28,360 Speaker 1: kind of guy he was. He saw things and did things. 340 00:16:29,360 --> 00:16:31,600 Speaker 1: You know, you might not have thought much of it, 341 00:16:31,800 --> 00:16:34,320 Speaker 1: you know, but he had there was a method to, 342 00:16:34,920 --> 00:16:37,200 Speaker 1: for lack of a better word, his madness. He never 343 00:16:37,360 --> 00:16:39,800 Speaker 1: told you anything you didn't need to know. He told 344 00:16:39,800 --> 00:16:43,200 Speaker 1: you everything you needed to know. He's well known for 345 00:16:43,360 --> 00:16:46,120 Speaker 1: his leadership and the way that he was able to 346 00:16:47,040 --> 00:16:51,040 Speaker 1: get through to all different kinds of people on every level. Really, 347 00:16:51,520 --> 00:16:54,120 Speaker 1: what do you think is the secret behind that? How 348 00:16:54,280 --> 00:16:56,200 Speaker 1: how was he able to get through to so many 349 00:16:56,240 --> 00:17:01,400 Speaker 1: different players? I think first of all, he listened to you. 350 00:17:01,720 --> 00:17:04,200 Speaker 1: You know, he did his homework about who you were 351 00:17:04,280 --> 00:17:07,680 Speaker 1: before you got here, and that's that's for sure. And 352 00:17:07,720 --> 00:17:12,040 Speaker 1: so he you know, everybody's got different personalities, every he 353 00:17:12,119 --> 00:17:15,520 Speaker 1: knew who he could just let go and just like, Okay, 354 00:17:15,920 --> 00:17:17,800 Speaker 1: these guys know what they're doing up. You know, there 355 00:17:17,840 --> 00:17:20,080 Speaker 1: were certain players that we had, you know, he just like, okay, 356 00:17:20,160 --> 00:17:22,200 Speaker 1: you come and you play. He knew all that about 357 00:17:22,200 --> 00:17:24,400 Speaker 1: each and everyone and his players, and he knew what 358 00:17:24,720 --> 00:17:28,679 Speaker 1: each player was capable of, and he knew what he 359 00:17:28,760 --> 00:17:31,760 Speaker 1: needed to do or say to you to get the 360 00:17:31,760 --> 00:17:35,720 Speaker 1: best out of you. All the time, he was very, 361 00:17:35,880 --> 00:17:40,879 Speaker 1: very how can I put it meticulous about everything, you know, 362 00:17:40,920 --> 00:17:44,800 Speaker 1: as far as when when they came to football and 363 00:17:44,840 --> 00:17:46,960 Speaker 1: what you needed to do. He didn't miss a beat. 364 00:17:47,000 --> 00:17:49,160 Speaker 1: You just think about I just think about coaches now 365 00:17:49,320 --> 00:17:51,560 Speaker 1: right at our head coaches you have you know, hey, 366 00:17:51,600 --> 00:17:53,600 Speaker 1: this guy's an offensive minded head coach, or hey this 367 00:17:53,600 --> 00:17:56,760 Speaker 1: guy's a defensive minded head coach. Bub was neither, but 368 00:17:56,920 --> 00:17:59,119 Speaker 1: he was still like you said, he was meticulous in 369 00:17:59,200 --> 00:18:02,120 Speaker 1: every single phase of the game. Why would you describe 370 00:18:02,160 --> 00:18:05,200 Speaker 1: his identity as a coach. I think he surrounded himself 371 00:18:05,320 --> 00:18:09,919 Speaker 1: by people, especially coaches, that were the best offensive people 372 00:18:10,359 --> 00:18:13,800 Speaker 1: and the best defensive people. He let them know what 373 00:18:13,880 --> 00:18:15,840 Speaker 1: he needed to do. His job was to make sure 374 00:18:15,920 --> 00:18:19,600 Speaker 1: the players themselves were the right types of players that 375 00:18:19,800 --> 00:18:24,359 Speaker 1: we're gonna be buying into his program, which was gonna 376 00:18:24,400 --> 00:18:27,480 Speaker 1: be Okay, I got these rules. I'm going to implement 377 00:18:27,520 --> 00:18:30,840 Speaker 1: these rules. If you're gonna come here, you're gonna come here, 378 00:18:31,000 --> 00:18:34,479 Speaker 1: and this is how we do it. And I know 379 00:18:34,600 --> 00:18:37,120 Speaker 1: this formula works because he worked up there in Canada 380 00:18:37,200 --> 00:18:41,639 Speaker 1: for him and you know, and he was right, you know, Okay, 381 00:18:41,880 --> 00:18:44,399 Speaker 1: I'm going to be disciplined. I'm gonna discipline, you know, 382 00:18:44,600 --> 00:18:46,920 Speaker 1: and I want to. And I'm not going to overload 383 00:18:46,960 --> 00:18:48,479 Speaker 1: you with a lot of things, but these are the 384 00:18:48,480 --> 00:18:52,120 Speaker 1: things I wanted to be here in shape. Know, you 385 00:18:52,160 --> 00:18:55,440 Speaker 1: know your assignments. You know I want one hundred and 386 00:18:55,480 --> 00:18:57,879 Speaker 1: fifty percent of you every play. And I don't have 387 00:18:57,920 --> 00:19:00,480 Speaker 1: to tell you that. You need to know that's what 388 00:19:00,560 --> 00:19:02,719 Speaker 1: I want you. May we may not have been the 389 00:19:02,760 --> 00:19:06,040 Speaker 1: most talented team out there, but we definitely were the 390 00:19:06,080 --> 00:19:09,120 Speaker 1: most disciplined, hard working team in the n I fail 391 00:19:09,280 --> 00:19:11,280 Speaker 1: no doubt about it. He's also well known for his 392 00:19:11,359 --> 00:19:14,000 Speaker 1: practical jokes, having a great sense of humor. How often 393 00:19:14,040 --> 00:19:16,600 Speaker 1: did you see that? And do you remember any joke 394 00:19:16,680 --> 00:19:20,440 Speaker 1: he may have played on you? It wasn't a joke. 395 00:19:20,560 --> 00:19:25,040 Speaker 1: I remember him, you know, at practice one. You know, 396 00:19:25,080 --> 00:19:26,600 Speaker 1: I don't know what he was doing. But then we 397 00:19:26,640 --> 00:19:29,760 Speaker 1: had this little bat drill or whatever, and I kind 398 00:19:29,760 --> 00:19:32,360 Speaker 1: of thought maybe he was just singing me out for 399 00:19:32,440 --> 00:19:36,639 Speaker 1: some reason, but he wasn't. It was just when I 400 00:19:36,680 --> 00:19:38,800 Speaker 1: got done, I couldn't, you know, he told me they 401 00:19:38,960 --> 00:19:41,439 Speaker 1: run over there to this spot. I couldn't get to 402 00:19:41,520 --> 00:19:44,879 Speaker 1: the spot. I was too dizzy. But he did little 403 00:19:44,920 --> 00:19:47,960 Speaker 1: things like that to get a last from everybody. And yeah, 404 00:19:48,080 --> 00:19:50,120 Speaker 1: he was different in that way as a part of him. 405 00:19:50,760 --> 00:19:54,879 Speaker 1: Most people didn't see, but yeah, I heard he was 406 00:19:54,920 --> 00:19:57,080 Speaker 1: a big prankster. Yeah, I feel like you know that 407 00:19:57,160 --> 00:19:59,359 Speaker 1: kind of you know, jokes light in the mood that 408 00:19:59,720 --> 00:20:02,040 Speaker 1: helped you, you you know, focus in on the moment because 409 00:20:02,080 --> 00:20:04,679 Speaker 1: you kind of have that balance. And one of my 410 00:20:04,760 --> 00:20:08,000 Speaker 1: favorite Bud Grant quotes is um when he said, you know, cold, 411 00:20:08,480 --> 00:20:11,679 Speaker 1: it's just a state of mind and that mindset, you know, 412 00:20:11,800 --> 00:20:14,760 Speaker 1: just from having that as a running back, like back 413 00:20:14,760 --> 00:20:16,359 Speaker 1: when you played it. It It started with you know, the 414 00:20:16,520 --> 00:20:19,120 Speaker 1: running back. So how how did he shape your mindset 415 00:20:19,200 --> 00:20:22,160 Speaker 1: to I guess helped build the future. Other vikings, well, 416 00:20:22,400 --> 00:20:24,440 Speaker 1: you know, coming out of Miami and Florida, I didn't 417 00:20:24,440 --> 00:20:28,399 Speaker 1: play it too much. Gold from Maryland, Maryland originally, but 418 00:20:28,480 --> 00:20:31,240 Speaker 1: it's still even in Maryland. It didn't get the bitter 419 00:20:31,280 --> 00:20:35,080 Speaker 1: cold as it was up here. And he um as 420 00:20:35,080 --> 00:20:37,960 Speaker 1: far as preparation, you know when we played, of course 421 00:20:38,119 --> 00:20:41,080 Speaker 1: when we practice it was outside and you know in 422 00:20:41,119 --> 00:20:43,720 Speaker 1: those days you did not have gloves. He wouldn't allow 423 00:20:43,800 --> 00:20:47,720 Speaker 1: you to have gloves when you dressfully, when you got 424 00:20:47,760 --> 00:20:51,280 Speaker 1: ready for practice. You could not wear anything at practice 425 00:20:51,320 --> 00:20:53,720 Speaker 1: that you couldn't worry that you didn't work, were in 426 00:20:53,720 --> 00:20:57,800 Speaker 1: the game. All those things were preprepping you for the 427 00:20:57,880 --> 00:21:01,680 Speaker 1: game days situation, especially in the cold. So we had 428 00:21:01,760 --> 00:21:03,960 Speaker 1: no like you said, we never wore gloves. We never 429 00:21:04,000 --> 00:21:05,920 Speaker 1: did any of those kind of things. Now we did 430 00:21:06,480 --> 00:21:09,199 Speaker 1: have a kind of like a flannel type thing that 431 00:21:09,240 --> 00:21:12,399 Speaker 1: we wore underneath over our T shirts, but it was 432 00:21:12,560 --> 00:21:16,760 Speaker 1: more mental preparations for that. So he got us ready 433 00:21:16,800 --> 00:21:20,359 Speaker 1: to play, um and keeping us in the cold, practicing 434 00:21:20,480 --> 00:21:23,639 Speaker 1: the cold and telling us these stories about the cold, 435 00:21:23,760 --> 00:21:27,200 Speaker 1: which was the Eskimos stories and things like that. Chuck 436 00:21:27,480 --> 00:21:30,199 Speaker 1: Tatum's from the New Rollands. I'm from North Carolina and 437 00:21:30,600 --> 00:21:33,040 Speaker 1: walking in the cold to come to work it is rough. 438 00:21:33,160 --> 00:21:36,159 Speaker 1: So playing like during that time, I can only and 439 00:21:36,200 --> 00:21:38,800 Speaker 1: you're from Florida like so that and we can wear 440 00:21:38,800 --> 00:21:42,760 Speaker 1: gloves exactly exactly. Well, let me tell you you weren't 441 00:21:42,760 --> 00:21:45,960 Speaker 1: wearing gloves. Now. He did teach you a little tricks 442 00:21:45,960 --> 00:21:49,199 Speaker 1: to the trade, you know, as far as what you 443 00:21:49,240 --> 00:21:50,960 Speaker 1: needed to do. And I mean some of the guys 444 00:21:50,960 --> 00:21:53,000 Speaker 1: you know, like I used to put the little plastic 445 00:21:53,080 --> 00:21:55,920 Speaker 1: bags around them and tape them, pull my socks o, 446 00:21:56,000 --> 00:21:58,560 Speaker 1: because that to keep the keep your feet warm, you know, 447 00:21:58,760 --> 00:22:01,560 Speaker 1: stuffing go litting to keep you know, so if your 448 00:22:01,800 --> 00:22:05,080 Speaker 1: kleis got wet, you know, it didn't affect your toes. 449 00:22:05,200 --> 00:22:07,840 Speaker 1: You know, just little things that he that he lets 450 00:22:07,840 --> 00:22:10,760 Speaker 1: you know what to do. But it was all mental. 451 00:22:11,080 --> 00:22:13,280 Speaker 1: You know, head, we're gonna be cod but we're gonna 452 00:22:13,280 --> 00:22:15,359 Speaker 1: be the best code where the team out there. So 453 00:22:15,400 --> 00:22:18,040 Speaker 1: we're gonna practice in this stuff and I'm gonna keep 454 00:22:18,080 --> 00:22:21,160 Speaker 1: you out here. And you know that's what we did, 455 00:22:21,240 --> 00:22:24,760 Speaker 1: and we were we adapted man, and now we have to, 456 00:22:24,960 --> 00:22:28,040 Speaker 1: you know, adapt to Bud Grant and his legacy that 457 00:22:28,080 --> 00:22:30,840 Speaker 1: he leaves behind, not only as a coach, but as 458 00:22:30,840 --> 00:22:33,200 Speaker 1: a man chuck for him. And I appreciate you and 459 00:22:33,560 --> 00:22:35,959 Speaker 1: all the stories that you share today. I appreciate it 460 00:22:35,960 --> 00:22:38,719 Speaker 1: to but you remember this and a Bud isn't a 461 00:22:38,760 --> 00:22:42,360 Speaker 1: different place now, oh you know the h We got 462 00:22:42,359 --> 00:22:45,119 Speaker 1: a whole new group of people over there, and you 463 00:22:45,160 --> 00:22:47,760 Speaker 1: know we're wishing them all the best to pick up 464 00:22:47,800 --> 00:22:51,200 Speaker 1: where he left off and go to a whole different level. 465 00:22:51,800 --> 00:22:53,600 Speaker 1: You know, I think that should be silly. I think 466 00:22:53,600 --> 00:22:55,399 Speaker 1: you got are doing a great job or whatever. I'm 467 00:22:55,440 --> 00:22:57,880 Speaker 1: sure he's proud of what you're doing. Appreciate you Chuck, 468 00:22:58,520 --> 00:23:01,400 Speaker 1: can't can't thank you enough. Thank you. Joining us now 469 00:23:01,440 --> 00:23:05,160 Speaker 1: in studio is Viking Senior consultant for Pro Personnel, mister 470 00:23:05,280 --> 00:23:09,560 Speaker 1: Paul Wiggan. Paul, thank you for for coming in studio 471 00:23:09,640 --> 00:23:12,400 Speaker 1: with us. It's fun be here. Just a little bit 472 00:23:12,600 --> 00:23:14,680 Speaker 1: of a truck for you. Not too bad down here 473 00:23:14,720 --> 00:23:17,240 Speaker 1: to the first floor. No, it's a it's a little 474 00:23:17,240 --> 00:23:19,200 Speaker 1: bit of a walk. I think it's another zip code. 475 00:23:19,280 --> 00:23:22,320 Speaker 1: But for sure, you think about this building, how big 476 00:23:22,320 --> 00:23:28,040 Speaker 1: it is, it's another It's an immaculate building, and both 477 00:23:28,119 --> 00:23:30,520 Speaker 1: you and Bud had an immaculate career. But I want 478 00:23:30,520 --> 00:23:34,159 Speaker 1: to go back to nineteen eighty five, when Budd started 479 00:23:34,200 --> 00:23:37,199 Speaker 1: his second stint as head coach for the Vikings Um. 480 00:23:37,320 --> 00:23:39,480 Speaker 1: He hired you on at his defensive line coach. You 481 00:23:39,560 --> 00:23:42,880 Speaker 1: had already had, you know, a previous coaching career before then, 482 00:23:42,960 --> 00:23:46,119 Speaker 1: and then the nineteen eighty five season goes by, Bud 483 00:23:46,160 --> 00:23:49,400 Speaker 1: steps down. You continue, You stay here for six years 484 00:23:49,440 --> 00:23:51,880 Speaker 1: as defensive line coach, and then you move into your 485 00:23:52,080 --> 00:23:56,359 Speaker 1: role now as consultant for pro personnel. From eighty five 486 00:23:56,480 --> 00:23:59,600 Speaker 1: until now or even before then, how how had you 487 00:23:59,720 --> 00:24:04,520 Speaker 1: and Bud's relationship evolved? Well, I think going way back 488 00:24:05,320 --> 00:24:09,399 Speaker 1: when I first got into coaching, I was told, you know, 489 00:24:09,480 --> 00:24:11,800 Speaker 1: and again it was somewhere along the way, but I 490 00:24:11,880 --> 00:24:14,679 Speaker 1: was told that if you ever get a chance to 491 00:24:14,760 --> 00:24:19,240 Speaker 1: coach with Bud Grant, take it. They say he knew 492 00:24:19,320 --> 00:24:23,520 Speaker 1: how to handle and treat assistant coaches. He made them 493 00:24:23,560 --> 00:24:29,119 Speaker 1: seem important within an organization. And I was. I always 494 00:24:29,200 --> 00:24:33,480 Speaker 1: respected that. And we both had butch haircuts, So so 495 00:24:34,200 --> 00:24:36,479 Speaker 1: that was no, that was a small part of it. 496 00:24:37,280 --> 00:24:40,520 Speaker 1: But I had I always admired him, and I had 497 00:24:40,560 --> 00:24:45,920 Speaker 1: always admired him. And secondly, he had played had Great 498 00:24:46,000 --> 00:24:49,440 Speaker 1: Lakes during World War Two for a great coach named 499 00:24:49,480 --> 00:24:53,159 Speaker 1: Paul Brown, and I had that same experience. So we 500 00:24:53,240 --> 00:24:56,120 Speaker 1: had some things in common that when we were together 501 00:24:56,920 --> 00:25:00,480 Speaker 1: we could we could reminisce about things that we knew 502 00:25:00,520 --> 00:25:04,840 Speaker 1: about the master who Paul Brown was, and Bud who 503 00:25:05,200 --> 00:25:08,560 Speaker 1: followed his footsteps and became kind of in the same category. 504 00:25:08,760 --> 00:25:11,520 Speaker 1: So you say that you took the chance you played 505 00:25:11,560 --> 00:25:14,080 Speaker 1: for Bud Grant. Are you coached with Bud Grant? What 506 00:25:14,200 --> 00:25:16,840 Speaker 1: was the one thing about the way that he coached 507 00:25:17,160 --> 00:25:21,040 Speaker 1: that you adapted and used for yourself. Well, first of all, 508 00:25:21,080 --> 00:25:23,040 Speaker 1: it was a little late in my career for me 509 00:25:23,119 --> 00:25:27,360 Speaker 1: to be adapting to him. But I wish I'd had 510 00:25:27,400 --> 00:25:30,760 Speaker 1: the opportunity to be with Bud right off when I 511 00:25:30,800 --> 00:25:35,880 Speaker 1: got out of playing, because he did. He did one 512 00:25:36,000 --> 00:25:41,000 Speaker 1: thing that I was just really really impressed with, and 513 00:25:41,080 --> 00:25:45,040 Speaker 1: that was his ability to handle human behavior. And I 514 00:25:45,080 --> 00:25:49,960 Speaker 1: think people don't give that much credence, but human behavior 515 00:25:50,119 --> 00:25:52,719 Speaker 1: is so critical in the game of football, and I 516 00:25:52,760 --> 00:25:58,840 Speaker 1: think Bud understood players. He saw each individual player as 517 00:25:58,880 --> 00:26:02,119 Speaker 1: an individual, and he knew how to deal with that. 518 00:26:02,800 --> 00:26:05,879 Speaker 1: A case in point would be Jim Marshall. Jim marsh 519 00:26:05,920 --> 00:26:09,119 Speaker 1: I played with Jim Marshall in Cleveland, and he was 520 00:26:09,200 --> 00:26:13,600 Speaker 1: having difficulty there in a lot of ways. He is Finally, 521 00:26:14,040 --> 00:26:17,560 Speaker 1: Paul Brown is frustrated with him and trades him. He 522 00:26:17,600 --> 00:26:21,640 Speaker 1: comes to Minnesota, he becomes a team leader and captain. 523 00:26:22,520 --> 00:26:25,760 Speaker 1: And that tells you kind of what Budd understood. That 524 00:26:26,080 --> 00:26:29,360 Speaker 1: Budd saw something there and that guy, and he did 525 00:26:29,400 --> 00:26:32,240 Speaker 1: that for a lot of people. But I think if 526 00:26:32,240 --> 00:26:35,679 Speaker 1: you ask someone about Bud, you and you say, what 527 00:26:35,800 --> 00:26:38,640 Speaker 1: kind of a strategist was he? You know, I don't 528 00:26:38,760 --> 00:26:40,800 Speaker 1: sure I know, because I think he spent most of 529 00:26:40,840 --> 00:26:44,840 Speaker 1: his time as a coach dealing with human beings and 530 00:26:44,880 --> 00:26:48,560 Speaker 1: being with the personalities of human beings. And I wish 531 00:26:48,600 --> 00:26:54,919 Speaker 1: I'd had that same mentality years before. I wasn't an 532 00:26:54,960 --> 00:26:58,720 Speaker 1: animal about coaching, not I was kind of soft. I 533 00:26:58,840 --> 00:27:04,760 Speaker 1: probably too off maybe, But Bud really really understood human behavior, 534 00:27:04,920 --> 00:27:09,080 Speaker 1: and I admire that. Would you say Bud was ahead 535 00:27:09,119 --> 00:27:11,520 Speaker 1: of his time when it comes to that, when it 536 00:27:11,560 --> 00:27:15,040 Speaker 1: came to just understanding human behavior, simply because all the 537 00:27:15,040 --> 00:27:18,760 Speaker 1: coaches now, especially if you think of contracts and you 538 00:27:18,800 --> 00:27:22,479 Speaker 1: know everything social media, that's pretty much what head coaches 539 00:27:22,520 --> 00:27:25,560 Speaker 1: do now is just monitor behaviors and manage him to 540 00:27:25,920 --> 00:27:27,359 Speaker 1: be able to make the team work. Would you say 541 00:27:27,359 --> 00:27:30,200 Speaker 1: Bud was out of his time when it came to that. Absolutely, Yeah, 542 00:27:30,320 --> 00:27:32,320 Speaker 1: And yeah, I mean you get if you think about 543 00:27:32,320 --> 00:27:36,879 Speaker 1: those times were different times, you know, those with the 544 00:27:36,920 --> 00:27:39,600 Speaker 1: Lombardi era, that's where you made a lot of noise 545 00:27:39,600 --> 00:27:43,760 Speaker 1: on the sidelines, you screamed at people and demanded things 546 00:27:43,840 --> 00:27:50,280 Speaker 1: that Bud quietly went about his business tremendous command. I mean, 547 00:27:50,359 --> 00:27:52,960 Speaker 1: you could be in a meeting room and giggling and 548 00:27:53,080 --> 00:27:55,680 Speaker 1: laughing like all players do when they're in meeting rooms, 549 00:27:55,720 --> 00:27:58,080 Speaker 1: and all of a sudden, through the door comes to 550 00:27:58,080 --> 00:28:01,600 Speaker 1: the man, and it's Bud. And he walked through that door. 551 00:28:01,640 --> 00:28:05,159 Speaker 1: It's like snapping your fingers. It was dead silence, and 552 00:28:05,359 --> 00:28:08,439 Speaker 1: all the eyes were on Bud, not in fear, but 553 00:28:08,600 --> 00:28:13,159 Speaker 1: in respect. And I think that's that's the real impressive 554 00:28:13,240 --> 00:28:17,000 Speaker 1: part to me. I really admired that about him, and 555 00:28:17,080 --> 00:28:21,560 Speaker 1: I was fortunate, and I've I've had some great things happened. 556 00:28:22,280 --> 00:28:25,560 Speaker 1: I've kind of coattailed things in my life. And I 557 00:28:25,840 --> 00:28:29,840 Speaker 1: cotailed playing for Paul Brown, and I cotailed playing with 558 00:28:30,000 --> 00:28:34,160 Speaker 1: Jim Brown. I co tailed coaching John Alway. And one 559 00:28:34,200 --> 00:28:37,560 Speaker 1: of the real honors was coaching that's only one year, 560 00:28:38,360 --> 00:28:41,040 Speaker 1: but one year with Bud Grant because of who he 561 00:28:41,200 --> 00:28:44,560 Speaker 1: was and how he handled me, how he handled his team, 562 00:28:45,280 --> 00:28:49,200 Speaker 1: how he handled everybody. It was his way, a unique way, 563 00:28:50,280 --> 00:28:53,280 Speaker 1: but I understood his way and I admire him. He 564 00:28:53,840 --> 00:28:58,440 Speaker 1: certainly stood stood up for it and was an outstanding 565 00:28:59,480 --> 00:29:01,840 Speaker 1: mentor for me in a very short span of time. 566 00:29:02,240 --> 00:29:05,520 Speaker 1: Obviously only one year you coached together, but you've been 567 00:29:05,880 --> 00:29:09,080 Speaker 1: friends ever since and been in Minnesota at the same 568 00:29:09,120 --> 00:29:13,080 Speaker 1: time ever since. And what if how did your relationship 569 00:29:13,160 --> 00:29:16,880 Speaker 1: grow after you guys stopped working all the time together. 570 00:29:17,160 --> 00:29:21,080 Speaker 1: I just think it was the mutual respect. You know. 571 00:29:21,720 --> 00:29:26,880 Speaker 1: I again, I was here longer than a lot of 572 00:29:26,880 --> 00:29:29,520 Speaker 1: the coaches that coached with him, and so as time 573 00:29:29,560 --> 00:29:33,080 Speaker 1: went along, week became more and more friends. I think 574 00:29:33,120 --> 00:29:37,120 Speaker 1: as he got to I didn't hunt, I don't fish, 575 00:29:37,240 --> 00:29:39,760 Speaker 1: I don't do all those things. So I'm not going 576 00:29:39,800 --> 00:29:41,600 Speaker 1: to be with him a good part of his time. 577 00:29:42,120 --> 00:29:49,280 Speaker 1: But I just to talk. Not really about strategy. Well 578 00:29:49,560 --> 00:29:52,280 Speaker 1: we didn't do that, because that's not Bud. We talked 579 00:29:52,280 --> 00:29:57,160 Speaker 1: about people, and he talked about how this situations surfaced 580 00:29:57,160 --> 00:29:59,920 Speaker 1: and this is how he handled it and what I 581 00:30:00,040 --> 00:30:04,360 Speaker 1: handled the same way. I probably wouldn't have. But I 582 00:30:04,400 --> 00:30:07,280 Speaker 1: admire the fact that not only did he handle it well, 583 00:30:07,400 --> 00:30:09,280 Speaker 1: but he believed in the way he did handle it. 584 00:30:09,360 --> 00:30:13,160 Speaker 1: And I think one of the things about Bud Budd 585 00:30:13,320 --> 00:30:18,520 Speaker 1: always had the ultra an ultra amount of confidence in 586 00:30:18,640 --> 00:30:21,320 Speaker 1: his way of doing things. And I think that in 587 00:30:21,360 --> 00:30:25,640 Speaker 1: itself is pretty good thing to have when you're coaching. 588 00:30:26,120 --> 00:30:28,720 Speaker 1: I'm i'm I'm reading books and everything else trying to 589 00:30:28,760 --> 00:30:31,680 Speaker 1: find answers, and he's he didn't have to read anything. 590 00:30:31,960 --> 00:30:35,120 Speaker 1: The answers were within him, and that's who he was 591 00:30:35,680 --> 00:30:39,680 Speaker 1: experienced his life. The greatest teachers and you dropped a 592 00:30:39,800 --> 00:30:42,440 Speaker 1: nugget on us before you walked. Before we started recording, 593 00:30:42,480 --> 00:30:45,320 Speaker 1: you said, every Thursday you and bubb would get lunch 594 00:30:45,320 --> 00:30:49,600 Speaker 1: together upstairs in the cafeteria. You got. I know, there 595 00:30:49,600 --> 00:30:54,640 Speaker 1: were probably some stories from all those lunch dates. Can 596 00:30:54,680 --> 00:30:59,080 Speaker 1: I say lunch date? He would be there with Pat 597 00:30:59,560 --> 00:31:04,600 Speaker 1: the his friend, and we would relive a lot of things. Again, 598 00:31:04,840 --> 00:31:07,440 Speaker 1: we knew a lot of the same things. You know. 599 00:31:08,440 --> 00:31:13,120 Speaker 1: He played for Paul at Paul Brown at Great Lakes 600 00:31:13,120 --> 00:31:17,880 Speaker 1: and was you know, every bit of a good player 601 00:31:17,920 --> 00:31:22,320 Speaker 1: there as he was everywhere else. And uh so we 602 00:31:22,320 --> 00:31:26,120 Speaker 1: we had a lot again, a lot in common, you know. 603 00:31:26,200 --> 00:31:28,520 Speaker 1: In fact, you know, the first day I coached with him, 604 00:31:28,560 --> 00:31:30,560 Speaker 1: I went out in the practice field and I saw 605 00:31:30,600 --> 00:31:33,480 Speaker 1: the team warm up, and I hadn't thought about him 606 00:31:33,560 --> 00:31:36,480 Speaker 1: being with Paul Brown. And I after the practice, I said, 607 00:31:36,640 --> 00:31:40,880 Speaker 1: you've crossed paths with Paul Brown somewhere, haven't you. He said, 608 00:31:40,920 --> 00:31:43,320 Speaker 1: Oh yeah, he said, I coach. He coached me at 609 00:31:43,320 --> 00:31:46,480 Speaker 1: the Great Lakes Naval Air Station during World War Two. Wow, 610 00:31:46,760 --> 00:31:49,040 Speaker 1: a team, by the way, that beating Notre Dame. And 611 00:31:50,640 --> 00:31:53,320 Speaker 1: at that time in history, you guys are all expecting 612 00:31:53,400 --> 00:31:56,800 Speaker 1: this room too young to remember that, but I can 613 00:31:56,880 --> 00:31:59,640 Speaker 1: sort of remember it. That's awesome. That's pretty awesome. Most 614 00:31:59,680 --> 00:32:02,840 Speaker 1: recent at length, though, and you won the Bud Grant 615 00:32:02,920 --> 00:32:06,880 Speaker 1: Distinguished Minnesota and Award given out by the National Football Foundation. 616 00:32:07,520 --> 00:32:11,640 Speaker 1: Obviously an award that highlights your many accomplishments and what 617 00:32:11,720 --> 00:32:15,760 Speaker 1: you've done to positively affect the Vikings in Minnesota football, 618 00:32:16,280 --> 00:32:18,000 Speaker 1: but it has that Bud Grant name too. I what 619 00:32:18,080 --> 00:32:20,920 Speaker 1: did it mean for you to be able to get 620 00:32:20,960 --> 00:32:23,080 Speaker 1: that and not only have that, but now as we 621 00:32:23,120 --> 00:32:26,160 Speaker 1: look back doing that while Bud was still around, well, 622 00:32:26,400 --> 00:32:29,320 Speaker 1: it means a lot to me. And again, I think 623 00:32:29,360 --> 00:32:31,800 Speaker 1: I learned more about what the award was about right 624 00:32:31,840 --> 00:32:35,240 Speaker 1: here today because I knew it was the Bud Grant Award, 625 00:32:35,280 --> 00:32:39,280 Speaker 1: And as I told the press and then told him, 626 00:32:39,360 --> 00:32:42,280 Speaker 1: I said that anything with Bud Grant's name on it, 627 00:32:42,480 --> 00:32:45,360 Speaker 1: I'm proud to have, and so I have. It is 628 00:32:45,400 --> 00:32:48,280 Speaker 1: down in my office right now. The trophy. I don't 629 00:32:48,280 --> 00:32:52,440 Speaker 1: know where I put a trophy, but it it means 630 00:32:52,480 --> 00:32:55,880 Speaker 1: a lot to me because of who he was and 631 00:32:55,920 --> 00:32:59,800 Speaker 1: what he stood for, and how the level of respect 632 00:33:00,040 --> 00:33:03,840 Speaker 1: I have for him. I think that so often it's 633 00:33:03,960 --> 00:33:06,480 Speaker 1: not just who you are, but how you feel about 634 00:33:06,520 --> 00:33:12,520 Speaker 1: that person. And I really I really admire everything about him. 635 00:33:12,560 --> 00:33:16,080 Speaker 1: I liked his style. I like and he was unique. 636 00:33:16,520 --> 00:33:19,720 Speaker 1: Everybody in this building will tell you that Bud Grant 637 00:33:19,760 --> 00:33:22,120 Speaker 1: was a different guy if you really got to know him. 638 00:33:22,200 --> 00:33:26,400 Speaker 1: It was his way, but he believed in his way, 639 00:33:26,400 --> 00:33:28,880 Speaker 1: and I had admired him for that. How would you 640 00:33:28,920 --> 00:33:32,600 Speaker 1: want just people listening to this podcast or people that 641 00:33:32,800 --> 00:33:34,640 Speaker 1: you know came in contact with him, how do you 642 00:33:34,640 --> 00:33:37,600 Speaker 1: how would you want people to remember Bud Grant? It 643 00:33:37,640 --> 00:33:41,080 Speaker 1: won't be Wis and Els, you know, it won't be 644 00:33:41,560 --> 00:33:45,280 Speaker 1: winning and losing. It'll be it'll be who he was 645 00:33:45,360 --> 00:33:50,080 Speaker 1: with regard to understanding the people he worked with. He 646 00:33:50,240 --> 00:33:54,880 Speaker 1: had brilliant coaches that took care of the other things. 647 00:33:55,240 --> 00:33:59,960 Speaker 1: Burns Jerry Burns, for example, he was an exceptional coach. 648 00:34:00,040 --> 00:34:03,560 Speaker 1: So he handled the offense, but Bud handled the people. 649 00:34:04,280 --> 00:34:07,120 Speaker 1: And I can remember I had a player that got 650 00:34:07,120 --> 00:34:09,399 Speaker 1: in trouble one time when I was coaching that year, 651 00:34:10,560 --> 00:34:13,480 Speaker 1: and he was up in my office and I told him, 652 00:34:13,520 --> 00:34:15,640 Speaker 1: I said, you got to go down and talk to Bud. 653 00:34:15,760 --> 00:34:18,600 Speaker 1: And I said to him, I said, don't go down 654 00:34:18,600 --> 00:34:21,640 Speaker 1: there and lie to him, because he is the smartest 655 00:34:21,680 --> 00:34:24,960 Speaker 1: guy he'll deal with, and he'll know you're lying, and 656 00:34:25,000 --> 00:34:27,720 Speaker 1: he's gonna, he's gonna you're gonna make a fool of yourself. 657 00:34:27,920 --> 00:34:31,600 Speaker 1: Go down and level with Bud Grant. He's the one 658 00:34:31,640 --> 00:34:34,200 Speaker 1: guy in this world that you need to be on 659 00:34:34,280 --> 00:34:37,719 Speaker 1: a level playing field with. You better be honest with him. 660 00:34:38,440 --> 00:34:42,320 Speaker 1: So that we handled that and went on with our lives. 661 00:34:42,400 --> 00:34:47,840 Speaker 1: But that's how I thought of Bud. I thought Bud was. 662 00:34:48,000 --> 00:34:51,160 Speaker 1: He was quiet about how he handled things. It was 663 00:34:51,239 --> 00:34:57,280 Speaker 1: interesting he didn't he didn't do anything publically with about anybody. 664 00:34:57,360 --> 00:35:00,080 Speaker 1: Everything was behind the scenes and he just quiet. I 665 00:35:00,120 --> 00:35:03,960 Speaker 1: took care of it. But when he walked in a room, 666 00:35:04,040 --> 00:35:07,239 Speaker 1: the command that that man had was impressive. And so 667 00:35:07,320 --> 00:35:11,320 Speaker 1: when you walked into his office and you were in trouble, 668 00:35:11,680 --> 00:35:16,440 Speaker 1: you stood at a brace and honored his presence and 669 00:35:16,640 --> 00:35:19,759 Speaker 1: not mean, but just his words enough were tell you 670 00:35:19,800 --> 00:35:22,320 Speaker 1: in half what about the other side of him? Was he? 671 00:35:23,000 --> 00:35:26,239 Speaker 1: How was a sense of humor? And or you on 672 00:35:26,280 --> 00:35:28,919 Speaker 1: any of the other side of his practical jokes over 673 00:35:28,960 --> 00:35:35,120 Speaker 1: the years. Yeah, he did. On April Fool's Day, he 674 00:35:35,160 --> 00:35:37,960 Speaker 1: took the toilet seats off of one of the restrooms 675 00:35:38,000 --> 00:35:40,960 Speaker 1: and he put it in and put it on my 676 00:35:41,080 --> 00:35:45,480 Speaker 1: death before I got into work. And I came in 677 00:35:45,560 --> 00:35:49,600 Speaker 1: and people thought I had done the girls in the building, 678 00:35:49,640 --> 00:35:54,120 Speaker 1: thought that I had been the culprit. But nothing, nothing 679 00:35:54,160 --> 00:35:57,040 Speaker 1: real bad. But he was he was. He was fun 680 00:35:57,120 --> 00:36:01,080 Speaker 1: from that standpoint. Yeah, yeah, that's a man. That's a 681 00:36:01,360 --> 00:36:03,480 Speaker 1: hell of a joke. Take the totally seas off and 682 00:36:03,480 --> 00:36:06,319 Speaker 1: put him on. Yeah, set him on my desk and 683 00:36:06,800 --> 00:36:11,760 Speaker 1: h and then but that was his trick for April fool. 684 00:36:13,280 --> 00:36:15,440 Speaker 1: That's a heck of a joke. I'm not sure how 685 00:36:15,480 --> 00:36:17,239 Speaker 1: many people would do that, but I mean that that 686 00:36:17,320 --> 00:36:19,319 Speaker 1: kind of explains, you know, kind of the person he is. 687 00:36:19,520 --> 00:36:24,200 Speaker 1: He was, he was different. Well, we appreciate it, Um, 688 00:36:24,239 --> 00:36:27,279 Speaker 1: This was I mean, just honoring the life of such 689 00:36:27,320 --> 00:36:30,719 Speaker 1: a great man and Bud grant Um, we can't do 690 00:36:30,760 --> 00:36:33,600 Speaker 1: it any justice, so to have you on just sharing 691 00:36:33,600 --> 00:36:37,920 Speaker 1: a few of your stories. We truly appreciate it. Well, Ted, 692 00:36:38,040 --> 00:36:40,160 Speaker 1: And we talked to three great man, three men that 693 00:36:41,200 --> 00:36:44,680 Speaker 1: mean the world to Bud, and I guess vice versa definitely. 694 00:36:45,000 --> 00:36:47,120 Speaker 1: And like you said in the end the beginning that 695 00:36:47,160 --> 00:36:50,799 Speaker 1: the constant from from all these you know, interviews that 696 00:36:50,840 --> 00:36:55,200 Speaker 1: we just conducted was people Budd cared about people and 697 00:36:55,880 --> 00:36:59,719 Speaker 1: nothing really else mattered. And that's the reason why his 698 00:37:00,080 --> 00:37:02,799 Speaker 1: legacy will live on forever because people know that he 699 00:37:02,880 --> 00:37:05,000 Speaker 1: cared about them, he cared about their well being, and 700 00:37:05,760 --> 00:37:09,240 Speaker 1: that's that's that's pretty much the world we live in today, 701 00:37:09,600 --> 00:37:12,120 Speaker 1: or the industry that we live in. It's like people matter, 702 00:37:12,520 --> 00:37:18,440 Speaker 1: and once people matter to you, it builds relationships, builds friendships, 703 00:37:18,480 --> 00:37:23,480 Speaker 1: builds you know, I guess just future successful for everyone involved. 704 00:37:24,000 --> 00:37:26,239 Speaker 1: I couldn't agree more. And I think you made a 705 00:37:26,239 --> 00:37:29,240 Speaker 1: great point while talking with Paul about you know, Bud 706 00:37:29,280 --> 00:37:31,600 Speaker 1: being ahead of his time. You know, I think a 707 00:37:31,600 --> 00:37:33,560 Speaker 1: lot of times when you hear coaches talk right now, 708 00:37:33,680 --> 00:37:36,440 Speaker 1: they say you have to speak to players differently. Not 709 00:37:36,480 --> 00:37:38,480 Speaker 1: every player listens to the same thing. They want you 710 00:37:38,520 --> 00:37:40,400 Speaker 1: to care about them, they want you to listen to them. 711 00:37:40,440 --> 00:37:44,439 Speaker 1: And it's so funny to hear these things in these 712 00:37:44,440 --> 00:37:47,200 Speaker 1: conversations that we just had, when all I can think 713 00:37:47,239 --> 00:37:51,000 Speaker 1: about is this coaching staff right now embracing that same 714 00:37:51,080 --> 00:37:55,200 Speaker 1: Bud Grant mentality that has become so synonymous with who 715 00:37:55,239 --> 00:37:58,120 Speaker 1: he is and was as a coach. And it's nice 716 00:37:58,160 --> 00:38:00,640 Speaker 1: to know that even though Bud may not be here 717 00:38:00,680 --> 00:38:03,480 Speaker 1: his legacy lives on not only within the memories of 718 00:38:03,520 --> 00:38:08,640 Speaker 1: several fans, former players, former coaches. It lives on in 719 00:38:08,680 --> 00:38:12,120 Speaker 1: this building, It lives on in this organization, and he 720 00:38:12,160 --> 00:38:15,560 Speaker 1: will always be a part of this no matter you know, 721 00:38:15,840 --> 00:38:21,120 Speaker 1: his life legacy and and now obviously, so I think that, 722 00:38:21,400 --> 00:38:24,200 Speaker 1: h it's a sad time, but it makes you really 723 00:38:24,239 --> 00:38:28,239 Speaker 1: think about everything, like the fragility of life. It makes 724 00:38:28,239 --> 00:38:31,640 Speaker 1: you think about being thankful for what you have, being 725 00:38:31,640 --> 00:38:34,400 Speaker 1: grateful for the people around you. And I think in 726 00:38:34,480 --> 00:38:37,480 Speaker 1: times like these that's usually what happens. And so, I 727 00:38:37,520 --> 00:38:40,719 Speaker 1: don't know, it kind of hit hard, yeah, but I 728 00:38:40,760 --> 00:38:43,680 Speaker 1: think it's really nice that we are able to create 729 00:38:43,719 --> 00:38:49,720 Speaker 1: these pieces that will forever be tributes to someone like Bud. 730 00:38:49,800 --> 00:38:52,560 Speaker 1: That you know, if you liked this so much, maybe 731 00:38:52,560 --> 00:38:54,680 Speaker 1: in a couple of weeks when you hear a fun 732 00:38:54,760 --> 00:38:56,440 Speaker 1: Bud grand story you want to come back and listen 733 00:38:56,440 --> 00:38:58,640 Speaker 1: to this like you can, right, like you can kind 734 00:38:58,640 --> 00:39:00,880 Speaker 1: of hear it all over again and and realize the 735 00:39:01,000 --> 00:39:04,840 Speaker 1: legacy that this man had. So yeah. Mark wolf Vikings, 736 00:39:04,840 --> 00:39:07,920 Speaker 1: team owner and team president, was on Good Morning Football 737 00:39:07,960 --> 00:39:11,200 Speaker 1: earlier this weekend. When asked about you know what Bud 738 00:39:11,280 --> 00:39:15,600 Speaker 1: Grant meant just to you know, the Vikings, to this team. 739 00:39:15,640 --> 00:39:19,240 Speaker 1: He was on record saying no one personifies Minnesota sports 740 00:39:19,840 --> 00:39:22,920 Speaker 1: and the Minnesota Vikings more than Bud Grant and what 741 00:39:23,040 --> 00:39:26,920 Speaker 1: an incredible impact. Impossible to describe what he meant to 742 00:39:26,960 --> 00:39:31,360 Speaker 1: the Vikings organization. May Bud Grant's legacy live on forever, 743 00:39:31,800 --> 00:39:33,840 Speaker 1: I guess, you know, for for us, you know, seeing 744 00:39:33,880 --> 00:39:36,960 Speaker 1: him every week here in TCO, every Thursday, like Paul 745 00:39:37,000 --> 00:39:41,080 Speaker 1: Wiggins said in the cafeteria, just just seeing his face, 746 00:39:41,200 --> 00:39:44,480 Speaker 1: his joy, his happiness. I think that's how I'm going 747 00:39:44,520 --> 00:39:46,960 Speaker 1: to remember Bud, just from the guy that always made 748 00:39:46,960 --> 00:39:51,560 Speaker 1: everybody around him feel better. And hopefully everyone remembers him 749 00:39:51,600 --> 00:39:53,799 Speaker 1: that same way. I think so, And I hope that 750 00:39:53,840 --> 00:39:55,680 Speaker 1: you guys have great memories of him as well. If 751 00:39:55,680 --> 00:39:57,800 Speaker 1: you're listening to this, you probably are a very faithful 752 00:39:57,840 --> 00:40:01,440 Speaker 1: Minnesota Vikings fan and have great memories of Bud Grant 753 00:40:01,480 --> 00:40:05,160 Speaker 1: as well. And I hope that this, you know, brings 754 00:40:05,160 --> 00:40:08,000 Speaker 1: a little bit of closure to those who might be 755 00:40:08,120 --> 00:40:10,640 Speaker 1: very sad abite this, but also at the same time, 756 00:40:11,000 --> 00:40:14,279 Speaker 1: again celebrating the life and legacy of Bud Grant. Well, 757 00:40:14,320 --> 00:40:17,600 Speaker 1: that'll be all for this edition of the Minnesota Vikings podcast. 758 00:40:18,200 --> 00:40:20,839 Speaker 1: We'll talk to you next week. Well, I'm telling you 759 00:40:20,880 --> 00:40:24,160 Speaker 1: it was as it was one of them. You were 760 00:40:24,200 --> 00:40:28,000 Speaker 1: the most important people in my entire life being influenced. 761 00:40:28,040 --> 00:40:30,799 Speaker 1: I enjoyed playing for you because you were one of 762 00:40:30,800 --> 00:40:33,040 Speaker 1: the coaches that got the best out of everybody. Whatever 763 00:40:33,080 --> 00:40:35,520 Speaker 1: it took, that's what you did to get the best 764 00:40:35,520 --> 00:40:37,279 Speaker 1: out of everybody. I play every week to try to 765 00:40:37,320 --> 00:40:42,000 Speaker 1: impress you very hard. I don't care what I did 766 00:40:40,360 --> 00:40:47,839 Speaker 1: I get, but he keep trying. You might make it