(AP photo)
In 2009, on the day Rex Ryan was hired by owner Woody Johnson to coach the Jets, Ryan's father, Buddy, had a simple message for him.
"Don't mess this up," Buddy told Rex that day, according to the New York Times. "That's my team."
The Jets? Buddy Ryan's team? Oh, but it's true. The mid-80s Bears were a leviathan because of Buddy. The late-80s Eagles were the most entertaining show in sports because of Buddy. Kevin Gilbride might own two Super Bowl rings, but his lengthy NFL coaching career is often reduced to a YouTube clip because of Buddy.