Vikings Hall of Fame coach Grant dies at 95

Bud Grant, the stoic and demanding Hall of Fame coach who took the Minnesota Vikings and their mighty Purple People Eaters defense to four Super Bowls in eight years and lost all of them, died Saturday. He was 95.

The Vikings announced Grant’s death on social media.

“We are absolutely devastated to announce legendary Minnesota Vikings head coach and Hall of Famer Bud Grant has passed away this morning at age 95,” the post said. “We, like all Vikings

and NFL fans, are shocked and saddened by this terrible news.”

Wearing his trademark purple Vikings cap and a stone-faced demeanor, Grant’s steely sideline gaze became synonymous with his teams. He was a mainstay among coaches of his era, a decorated group that included Don Shula, Tom Landry, Chuck Noll, John Madden and Hank Stram. Grant, however, had little interest in accolades.

Skiing SHIFFRIN HAS WORLD CUP

RECORD ALONE >> American skier Mikaela Shiffrin has set the outright World Cup record for most career victories with 87 by winning a slalom. Shiffrin broke a tie with Ingemar Stenmark on the all-time overall winners list between men and women. The Swede competed in the 1970s and 80s. Shiffrin had matched Stenmark’s mark of 86 wins with victory in a giant slalom March 10.

Golf MCILROY MISSES CUT

>> Adam Svensson was the 36hole leader of The Players Championship. Rory McIlroy headed home after his first missed cut since August.

The second round was completed early March 11 because of a storm delay. Svensson hit onto a hospitality tent on his final hole at the par-5 ninth. He still made birdie for a 67. That gives him a two-shot lead over Masters champion Scottie Scheffler.

College basketball

ARKANSAS APOLOGIZES >> Arkansas’ athletic director has apologized after a Kentucky student journalist said his cellphone was grabbed and thrown to the ground by a Razorbacks staffer following an early exit at the SEC Tournament.