Buddy Ryan, the mastermind behind one of the stingiest defenses in NFL history, died Tuesday morning after a long battle with cancer, according to multiple reports. He was 82.
Ryan invented the 46 defense, a blitz-friendly front which featured eight players in the box. Ryan used that defense with the Chicago Bears during their Super Bowl XX-winning season, and was the defensive line coach for the Jets’ win in Super Bowl III as well as for the Minnesota Vikings during the “Purple People Eater” era.
Ryan also served two head coaching stints, going 55-55-1 with the Philadelphia Eagles and the Arizona Cardinals.
Ryan’s sons, Rex and Rob, currently coach in the NFL. Rex is entering his second season as Buffalo Bills head coach after spending six seasons in the same position with the Jets, while Rob is Rex’s defensive coordinator.
..... - Newsday