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REFLECTIONS

bud grant, howard lestrud, vikings
One of Howard Lestrud’s favorite photos he took is of a young Troy Lestrud, 5, with a young Coach Bud Grant of the Minnesota Vikings. Grant loved his shirt with a picture of Dryden, Canada on it. This photo was later autographed by Coach Grant. Troy is the son of Howard and Judy Lestrud. He is now a resident of Surprise, Ariz. Staff photo by Howard Lestrud
Iconic Vikings coach treated everyone the same
By
Howard Lestrud, Contributing Writer
“The best ability is durability.”
-Bud Grant, Former Vikings Coach

Whether you were a world-renown sportscaster or a small-town reporter from Forest Lake, Pro Football Hall of Famer Harry Peter (Bud) Grant would treat you the same.

Grant, regarded as one of the greatest football coaches in history, died on March 11, 2023, at age 95.

Grant’s passing caused many people of all ages, to stop and pause about what this fine American citizen meant to us. His impact, of course, was mainly in the sports arena, but he also got involved in protest movements concerning management of wetlands.

Two people I highly admire next to my parents are former Minnesota Governor Elmer L. Andersen and former Canadian and American football coach Bud Grant. Here’s two individuals who played the game of life fairly and squarely.

The steely, blue-eyed Coach Grant took the Minnesota Vikings to four Super Bowls. Unfortunately, his teams did not go home with the Lombardi Trophy.

Grant took over the Vikings in 1967, the same year the Minnesota Twins won the World Series. He was 39 and had coached 10 seasons in the Canadian Football League. He coached the Vikings for 18 seasons, putting together a 168-105-5 record.

I first met Grant at one of his press conferences following a football game. He would call on me even though I was next to his close, personal friend, Sid Hartman.

Grant spent some of his college days at the University of Minnesota staying with Art and Lucillle Kistler on Second Lake. He also pitched in Forest Lake and played ball in Osceola, WI

Signed with the Eagles

A newspaper article dated July 26, 1951, stated that Forest Lake resident Bud Grant signed a contract with the Philadelphia Eagles. He was also pitching for Osceola in the St. Croix League, where he had a 19-3 record. He refused to report to the Eagles until his baseball season was over.

He was paid $2,300 to pitch that summer.

Bud loved to hunt and fish around Forest Lake.  He was also a regular customer at the Forest Lake Dairy Queen during his Vikings days.

Carrying that stoic look on and off the field, Grant was said to have been made of cement. This is not true. He would not allow players to wear gloves, or to stand in front of portable heaters. Grant carried his belief in “no heaters” to his grave.

His favorite saying was, “The best ability is durability.”

Grant’s statement held true with quarterback Fran Tarkenton not being injured until late in his career when he fractured an ankle. Current Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins is establishing that Grant theory every year.

Grant’s coaching strength of convincing his players to giving their all, all of the time was carried forth in the Grant household of six kids.

Consistency

“I believe Bud’s strongest asset was consistency,” remarked a fellow coach. He coached Hall of Famers and became one himself. He had a “a lasting impact,” the coach continued.

Grant acknowledged that he charged a high speaking fee but said it was necessary to employ that policy because his schedule was too tight to include time for banquet speaking.

I was fortunate to be in attendance for one of his public speaking appearances, this one at a banquet that feted the Rush City High School football team. The banquet was held during the mid-1990s during the time Hank Williams Jr. was blaring “Do you want to play some football?”

Grant said he was able to lower his speaking fee for the Rush City football team because Rush City was on the way to Grant’s cabin in Gordon, Wisconsin.

Cosell and Grant

Grant had the kids and their family members rolling down the aisles in the Rush City gym as he unleashed some comments that Vikings fans had not previously heard.

This was also at the time Howard Cosell was ruling the announcer’s booth. Grant and Cosell did not see eye to eye. Grant banned the famous sportscaster from practice sessions because of Cosell’s abrasiveness.

Grant claimed that Cosell did his reporting based on tips not backed up by fact. Throwing out another claim, Grant said, “Cosell doesn’t know whether a football is pumped up or stuffed.” (EDITOR’S NOTE: This is an accurate quote not published elsewhere.)

Coach Grant had quite a following from his players and assistant coaches. After his passing, coaches and athletes agreed that Bud Grant was on the top rung of coaching legends.

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