Just over 30 years after he led the most famous defense in Chicago sports history to the Super Bowl XX title, former Bears defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan died Tuesday morning at the age of 82.
The Bears released a statement from team chairman George McCaskey.
“Buddy was brash, intelligent and tough,” McCaskey wrote. “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.