The NFL lost one of its most colorful and innovative defensive legends on Tuesday morning as Buddy Ryan died at the age of 85.
Despite the fact that reputable outlets have reported Ryan was 82, a CBS Sports producer spoke to the executor of the estate who clarified that Ryan was born on Feb. 17, 1931, and was actually 85 when he died.
Ryan, the father of Bills head coach Rex Ryan and Buffalo defensive coordinator Rob Ryan, was one of the most brash, bold men in NFL history.
The former Eagles and Cardinals coach was most notable for his stretch with the Chicago Bears -- Ryan was Chicago's defensive coordinator from 1978-1985, inventing the "46" defense and constructing perhaps the greatest defense in NFL history, the 1985 Bears. Mike Ditka, hired in 1982 by George Halas, retained Ryan, but the two weren't really fond of one another during their stint together.
Ditka now says he wouldn't have a title without Ryan.
"There's no way we win anything without that defense, without his coaching," Ditka said Tuesday on NFL Network. "We won because of our defense."
The success in Chicago landed Ryan the head coaching position with the Philadelphia Eagles, where he went 43-38-1 in five years (and 0-3 in the playoffs). As highlighted in our recent "Good, Bad, Ugly and Bizarre" series, Ryan was a fairly controversial figure in Philly.
He battled it out publicly with Jimmy Johnson in Bounty Bowl -- parts I and II -- and wasn't particularly friendly with previous Cowboys coach Tom Landry either. Ryan notably ran up the score on Landry and Dallas during a 1987 Cowboys-Eagles game, continuing to throw the ball with 30 seconds left and his team up 10. Keith Byars would plunge into the end zone with two seconds on the clock to really rub it in.
After leaving the Eagles, Ryan landed with the Houston Oilers in 1993, where he made some waves for punching fellow coordinator Kevin Gilbride on the sideline of a game during his only year there.
Ryan would return as a head coach in 1994 with the Arizona Cardinals, going 12-20 over the course of two seasons.
Lost in his legacy somewhat is Ryan's work as a defensive line coach with the Jets in the 1968 NFL season, which culminated in a Super Bowl III title for Joe Namath and Co. Ryan dialed up tons of blitz pressures, including the "Cheeseburger Blitz," named after outside linebacker Al Harris who had the nickname the "Destroyer."
"The only thing I've seen him destroy is a cheeseburger," Ryan remarked after having Harris in camp.
If you ever wonder where Rex and Rob get their ability to produce high-quality quips, look no further than genetics.
"I'd trade him in a minute for a six-pack, and it wouldn't even have to be cold." Buddy Ryan on Earnest Jackson.
— Aaron Nagler (@AaronNagler) June 28, 2016
"No quarterback has ever completed a pass while laying flat on his back." - Buddy Ryan
— Chris B. Brown (@smartfootball) June 28, 2016
Ryan was borderline universally beloved by the players who worked under his defensive guidance.
"It's a rough, tough, gladiator type of a game and that's the way Buddy coached. He was beloved"
— Mike & Mike (@MikeAndMike) June 28, 2016
- Golic pic.twitter.com/ppzRyGFZTc
Buddy Ryan was the only assistant coach to ever be carried off the field by players after a Super Bowl.
— Kevin Negandhi (@KNegandhiESPN) June 28, 2016
This extended to the people who covered him as well.
My dealings with Buddy Ryan always were gracious, straightforward and insightful. He's probably already knocking heads in the afterworld.
— Tim Graham (@ByTimGraham) June 28, 2016
Ryan's coaching tree isn't largely celebrated, per se, but besides both Rex and Rob, Ryan also saw many players go on to become head coaches.
From the 1985 Bears alone: Jeff Fisher (current Rams coach), Ron Rivera (current Panthers coach), Mike Singletary (former 49ers coach) and Leslie Frazier (former Vikings coach) all played for Ryan on the 1985 championship team.
His influence on players and the football world was immense. The NFL lost a legend Tuesday.
