Former NFL head coach and highly-respected defensive coordinator for the Chicago Bears Buddy Ryan has died, agent James Solano confirmed Tuesday. Ryan was 82.
Ryan coached in the NFL for 28 seasons, and was most famous in Chicagoland and the nation for his Chicago Bears service that resulted in the Bears beating the New England Patriots 46-10 in Super Bowl XX. Ryan was carried off the field next to coach Mike Ditka after Ryan’s vaunted “46 Defense” was instrumental in season wins and the Super Bowl victory.
Ryan’s “46 Defense” was founded on sending more blitzing players than an offense could block. The name originated from Doug Plank, who was a starting Strong Safety for the Chicago Bears when the “46” defense was developed by Buddy Ryan. Before the Super Bowl XX season, the Bears tallied 72 sacks in 1984 — a record that still stands. The ’85 Bears capped their Super Bowl title with seven sacks during the game.
Ryan was known for having the beloved dedication of his players while building some of football’s top defenses with relentlessness tactics that created overpowering competition on the field.
Ryan was also on the defensive staff of the Super Bowl-winning New York Jets in Super Bowl III in 1968.
Ryan later was head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles and Arizona Cardinals. He finished his career with a 55-55-1 record in his seven seasons as a head coach. Ryan’s son, Rex, was on staff for two years with the Arizona Cardinals in the 1990s.
"Buddy was such an integral part of the @ChicagoBears."
Mike Ditka on Buddy Ryan's football legacy. #RIPBuddy https://t.co/ftwE7O7bHc
— NFL (@NFL) June 28, 2016
Buddy Ryan, ex-NFL coach and dad of Rex and Rob, dead at 82 https://t.co/i5eQdbEWdM
— CBS Top News (@CBSTopNews) June 28, 2016
ICYMI: Hall of Famer Dan Hampton joined @CochranShow & @DaveEanet to reflect on the life of Buddy Ryan #Bears https://t.co/mAiw8b8TEk
— WGN Radio 720 (@WGNRadio) June 28, 2016
Buddy Ryan, whose defense was key in the Chicago Bears' 1985 Super Bowl win, dies at 82 – https://t.co/EvaphgdYcc pic.twitter.com/2RN40VbDaD
— ABC 7 Chicago (@ABC7Chicago) June 28, 2016
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