September 8, 1985, Week 1 of the NFL regular season -- Bud Grant returned to coach the Vikings after Les Steckel went one-season-and-done with a 3-13 record in 1984. The Vikings hosted the defending Super Bowl champion 49ers for the season opener. I was at that game with my dad and brothers. We all expected the Vikes to get creamed by a clearly superior 49ers team, but there was still excitement at the Metrodome thanks to the return of the legendary coach. The game was low-scoring in the first half, with the Vikings getting shut out, but Minnesota forced 6 turnovers, scored 7 points in the third to tie it and another 21 in the fourth to pull off the upset. After a year of seeing the Vikings getting rolled over in game after game, it was thrilling to see them come to life and dominate a great team, even if only for a few minutes. I've still never had more fun at a game.
RIP Coach Grant.