Buddy Ryan, Inventor of the NFL's Famed '46 Defense,' Has Died
Buddy Ryan, perhaps the NFL's greatest defensive coordinator, has died at the age of 82. He had been in failing health, ESPN said, recovering from a stroke and battling cancer.
As the defensive coordinator for the Chicago Bears, Ryan introduced the 46 defense, which overwhelmed offenses with blitzing defenders. In 1984, the Bears racked up 72 sacks, a record that stands today. During the '85 Super Bowl, in which the Bears trounced the New England Patriots 46-10, the Bears notched seven sacks.
After the game, Ryan was carried off the field along with the team's head coach, Mike Ditka.
ESPN aired a 30 for 30 documentary about the '85 Bears earlier this year that focused much of its attention on Ryan and his close relationship with the team's defense.
Ryan coached in the NFL for 35 seasons, serving on the defensive staff of the '68 New York Jets, which won Super Bowl III. He joined the Bears in 1978, leaving after the '85 season to become head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles.
In 1993, as defensive coordinator of the Houston Oilers, Ryan punched offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride on the sideline during a game. Ryan later apologized.
Ryan was also head coach of the Arizona Cardinals, where for two seasons in the '90s he coached with his son Rex Ryan, who is now head coach of the Buffalo Bills. Earlier this year, Rex hired his twin brother Rob to serve as assistant head coach of defense.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
