USA TODAY Sports
Buddy Ryan, the architect of some of the most feared defenses in NFL history, has died, USA TODAY Sports confirmed on Tuesday. He was 82.
Ryan was the defensive coordinator with the title-winning Chicago Bears in Super Bowl XX and served as the defensive line coach with the New York Jets when the franchise won Super Bowl III. He coached in the NFL, either as a head coach or assistant for 35 years.
Ryan had battled cancer in recent years.
He was the father of Buffalo Bills head coach Rex Ryan and Bills assistant coach Rob Ryan.