Defensive Mastermind Buddy Ryan Dies, 85
Former NFL Head coach Buddy Ryan died today after battling cancer. He was 85. Ryan, known for being a defensive mastermind, is hailed as a genius in developing some of the NFL’s most devastating defenses, most notably the 1985 Chicago Bears Super Bowl XX defense. He Also coached on the New York Jets Super Bowl II defense.
Ryan went on to head coach other NFL teams, most notably the Philadelphia Eagles. He was the father of Buffalo Bills head coach Rex Ryan and Bills assistant coach Rob Ryan.
“Buddy Ryan was the architect of the greatest defense our league has seen. He was brilliant when it came to the X’s and O’s of the game, but what made him special was his ability to create an unwavering confidence in the players he coached,” Bears chairman George McCaskey said in a statement.