Buddy Ryan died Tuesday at the age of 82. Ryan, the former NFL head coach and influential defensive coordinator for the 198 Chicago Bears died Tuesday, as confirmed by his agent James Solano. During his 35 seasons of coaching in the NFL, Ryan spent time on the defensive staff for the New York Jets, Minnesota Vikings, Chicago Bears and Houston Oilers, and later worked as the head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles and Arizona Cardinals.
Ryan was on the defensive staff of the Super Bowl-winning New York Jets in Super Bowl III in 1968. Most famously, the Chicago Bears carried Ryan off the field next to coach Mike Ditka after Ryan’s own “46 Defense” helped the Bears destroy the New England Patriots 46-10 in Super Bowl XX. The 1985 Bears are widely considered the greatest defensive team in NFL history.
As head coach, Ryan comprised a record of 55-55-1 record in his seven seasons as a head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles and Arizona Cardinals.
Buddy’s son, Buffalo Bills Head Coach Rex Ryan, Rex Ryan told TheMMQB.com in a May interview that he and his twin brother, Rob, were “going for broke” this upcoming season as their father’s health was declining. His twin brother Rob, Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator, shared a similar sentiment:
“Because, who knows? He [Buddy Ryan] is not going to be able to watch us coach for much longer, I don’t think. But hopefully he can see this one, because we have got big plans. Bring [Bill] Belichick on. We got him.”
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