Former Vikings coach Bud Grant excited about team’s playoff chances
By Adam Carlson
The Minnesota Vikings have fans worldwide excited about the team’s chances in the playoffs but nobody is more excited than former coach Bud Grant.
It’s difficult not to be excited about this year’s playoffs if you’re a fan of the Minnesota Vikings. For the team to overcome losing their starting quarterback and starting running back early in the season to finish with a 13-3 record is an incredible accomplishment.
The team’s excellent record during the regular season earned them the right to have Wild Card Weekend off and wait until the Divisional Round to step foot on a football field again. This Sunday, Minnesota will be taking on the New Orleans Saints in a game that will be a hard-fought battle.
U.S. Bank Stadium will be packed with loud and rowdy fans on Sunday, but there is one person in particular who is very excited to see what the Vikings can do in the playoffs this year according to Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press on Twitter:
Legendary #Vikings coach Bud Grant as they enter the playoffs: "Of course, I’m enjoying it. I've got an office with the Vikings. I’m there every day. I know those people. I’m certainly excited that we got a shot at it. That’s all you can do, and the ball’s got to bounce right.’’
— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) January 2, 2018
Bud Grant was the coach of the Vikings from 1967 through 1983 and returned for one year in 1985. During that time, Minnesota won the NFL Championship in 1969, was the NFC Champions three times, and Grant was named Coach of the Year in 1976.
Having seen his fair share of heartbreak, Grant knows that ball will have to bounce right, but he’s optimistic that the team has a shot at a magical season.
Of course, if the Vikings can win in the Divisional Round and the Conference Championships, they will be playing in the Super Bowl at U.S. Bank Stadium and Bud Grant would love to see that happen.
Legendary #Vikings coach Bud Grant only can imagine what it would be like if they play Super Bowl in own stadium: “Absolutely, it’d be exciting. My family, we’ve grown up with the Vikings. This is my 50th year with the Vikings. I’m pulling as hard as anybody for them.’’
— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) January 2, 2018
Next: The importance of home field advantage
Having home field advantage in the Super Bowl would be an amazing feat, but first, there is a lot of work that the Minnesota Vikings need to do. But they will have the support of a massive number of fans, including their former head coach, to help push them to success.