Minnesota Vikings to Honor Bud Grant Throughout 2023 Season

Vikings owner Mark Wilf made the announcement before the team held a night practice at TCO Stadium.

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – The Minnesota Vikings announced Tuesday they’re honoring the lift of Bud Grant throughout the 2023 season with a jersey patch and helmet decal.

Vikings owner Mark Wilf made the announcement before the team held a night practice at TCO Stadium. It’s the team’s last workout before they travel to Seattle for their first preseason game Thursday night. They’ll wear the jersey patch and helmet decal starting Week 1 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sept. 10 at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Grant died back in March at the age of 95.

“No single individual defined Minnesota sports and the Minnesota Vikings brand than Coach Grant. It’s impossible to describe the impact that he’s had on the Vikings and the community. As owners, we cherished the nearly 18 years with Bud.”

Grant spent 18 seasons as the Vikings’ head coach, from 1967-83 and 1985, and led the franchise to four Super Bowl appearances and 11 division titles. He’s also been a consultant for the Vikings since 1986.

Grant was the NFL Coach of the Year in 1969, is a member of the Vikings Ring of Honor and is also on the Vikings’ 25th and 40th anniversary teams. Grant is also one of the 50 Greatest Vikings.

In one of his more iconic moments after football, Grant came on the field at TCF Bank Stadium for the pregame coin toss as the Vikings hosted the Seattle Seahawks in an NFC Playoff game in 2016. Despite wind chills well below zero, Grant was on the field in a polo golf shirt and pants, embracing the bone-chilling conditions.

Grant had a career record of 168-105-5 as an NFL head coach, including a 10-12 mark in the postseason.

“It wasn’t always about football with him, it was a lot of life stories and leading and the way he carried himself. Lot of wisdom there, great family man and he loved the Minnesota Vikings,” Wilf said.