NFL reacts to the loss of legendary coach Buddy Ryan
The Chicago Bears and the NFL lost an icon on Tuesday morning as longtime Bears defensive coordinator James David "Buddy" Ryan passed away at the age of 85.
Ryan, who helped lead the 1985 Chicago Bears to a win in Super Bowl XX, is remembered for not only being the Bears defensive coordinator from 1978-1986, but for being the creator of the "46" defense.
Ryan coached for 35 years in the NFL, winning two Super Bowls with the Bears and the New York Jets while also coaching some of the most revered defenses in NFL history.
Here's a sampling of reactions to Ryan's passing:
Son and current Buffalo Bills head coach Rex Ryan: "On behalf of the entire Ryan family, we want to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their sympathies, prayers and warm thoughts with the passing of my dad. He was many things to many people - outstanding coach, mentor, fierce competitor, father figure, faithful friend and the list goes on. But to me and my brothers Rob and Jim, he was so much more. He was everything you want in a dad - tough when he had to be, compassionate when you didn't necessarily expect it, and a loving teacher and confidant who cherished his family. He truly was our hero.
"For Rob and me, we've had the great fortune of sharing the coaching profession that he was so proud of and cherished so much. There is no way we can possibly begin to measure how much football we have learned from him over the years and we are forever thankful to him for instilling within us his unwavering love for the game of football.
"While today is a tough day for all of us in the Ryan family, we are consoled in knowing how much dad was loved by so many and the love he gave back in return. Though we will miss him dearly, we take comfort in knowing that his memory will live on through all of us."
Chicago Bears chairman and CEO George H. McCaskey: "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. From the day he was hired in 1978, his defenses bought into more than the scheme, they bought into him and took on his personality. Buddy was brash, intelligent and tough. He was a perfect match for our city and team, which is why George Halas took the extraordinary step of keeping him at the behest of his defensive players while transitioning to a new coaching staff in 1982. We will always be grateful for Buddy's contribution to the Bears. He is one of the team's all-time greats. Our prayers are with his family."
Hall of Fame linebacker Mike Singletary on WSCR 670-AM: "Once we get through the intial time of his passing, I know we'll get together and celebrate everything he meant to all of us in so many ways. ....If I learned anything from Buddy, it was about having the ability and the opportunity to be trusted and then be accountable to the job that he gave you and that empowered you to do something much greater than you could ever do."
Former Bears safety Doug Plank on The Score: "He was like no coach I've had in the past and that goes a long way. … He did things on defense that I never thought were possible."
Former Bears linebacker Otis Wilson on The Score: "It's like you lost a family member. … I spent a lot of time with him and he just had a great personality and he loved the game of football as I did. It's infectious. You love him and you want to play for a guy like that."
ESPN broadcaster Mike Greenberg via Twitter@Espngreeny: Buddy Ryan's '85 #Bears defense was the greatest I've ever seen. At any aspect of any sport. Could've punted on 1st down and gone 8-8. #RIP
• Check back later today for more reaction.