Longtime NFL coach Buddy Ryan, the architect of the 1985 Bears' championship-winning defense and father of NFL coaches Rex and Rob Ryan, passed away Tuesday morning at the age of 82.
His former teams reacted to the news:
Rest in peace, Buddy Ryan.
Our thoughts & condolences are with the Ryan family. pic.twitter.com/aheK650mdm— New York Jets (@nyjets) June 28, 2016
Ryan was known for his tenacious defenses and his bond with his players, which was reflected in his words and theirs:
In 1981, Bears players wrote a letter to keep Buddy Ryan.