Today, the prayers are with the Grier family. Seven decades. Three teams. Coach. General Manager. A man of tremendous integrity. These titles Bobby Grier built in his life. He passed away at the age of 82, leaving a feeling of emptiness in the hearts of his loved ones.

His legacy isn’t limited to his time in the NFL, but his children, Chris Grier, who’s currently serving as GM of the Miami Dolphins, and Mike Grier, serving as GM of the San Jose Sharks. 

Dedicating a special tweet to GM Chris, the Dolphins paid tribute to Bobby and sent their “thoughts and prayers” to the family.

With a picture of Chris with his father, the franchise captioned, “We are deeply saddened by the passing of Bobby Grier, father of general manager Chris Grier.” 

Bobby came to the league in 1989 and thereafter spent seven decades here. His journey began with the New England Patriots as an assistant coach. In 1993, the front office called on his skills as he took over the role of vice president of player personnel.

“He broke barriers and built bridges, and his legacy will forever be part of our franchise’s history,” said Patriots CEO and chairman Robert Kraft.

He’s one of those few people who saw the rare talent the legendary Tom Brady possessed. In the 2000 NFL Draft, when the Patriots drafted the quarterback (who brought six Super Bowl trophies to the team), Bobby told his son Mike that “he’s pretty proud of that draft class and Tom in particular.”

Though he bid adieu to New England in 2000, whenever Brady made headlines with his performance, it always brought a smile to Bobby’s face.

“I think he did a pretty good job. I’m very proud of him for what he did there,” his son, Mike, told ESPN back in 2011.

Why? He was the only NFL executive to reach out to Brady’s head coach at Michigan, Lloyd Carr. “I just said, ‘Bobby, I guarantee you you’ll never regret drafting Tom Brady,’” Carr shared. The rest is history. 

Meanwhile, Grier joined the Houston Texans. There, he was for 16 years of his life. And that’s where he received the title of “Wizard of OZ” by GM Rick Smith. He joined as an associate director of pro scouting, and then-GM Charley Casserly highlighted the gem Bobby truly was.

“Any time you have an opportunity to add someone to your organization with the experience and reputation that Bobby has, you do it,” Casserly said back then.

He was one of those who were too strong advocates for J.J. Watt in the 2011 NFL Draft. Once again, he was proven right as Watt went on to become one of the best defensive ends in the history of the NFL and a future Hall of Famer. 

He then went to the Dolphins as a consultant, where his firstborn, Chris, joined as an area scout in 2000 and was promoted to the GM role in 2016.

As Bobby left us, fans offered words of condolences and prayers to his family and loved ones. 

Fans remember Bobby Grier’s integrity and leadership

The NFL has lost a gem and an epitome of “Only a jeweler knows the true worth of a diamond,” with Grier’s demise. Brady and Watt may not have been here if not for Bobby pushing them forward.

To pay respects, a fan wrote, “Rest in paradise Bobby Grier.”

Grier realized his love for gridiron at a pretty young age and played as a running back at the University of Iowa from 1961 to 1964. 

But his coaching career started long before the NFL. His first opportunity came at a high school in Michigan. However, he later moved to the college ranks at Eastern Michigan University as a running backs coach in 1974.

So, feeling the loss of such a gem, one fan wrote, “May his memory forever be a blessing.” Even Patriots noted that Bobby’s legacy as a “pioneer, leader and gentleman” will live forever with the franchise. Meanwhile, Kraft called Bobby a “man of tremendous integrity.”

A fan expressed similar sentiments while paying his tribute. “Bobby Grier was a humble and honorable gentleman who treated everyone with respect. A giant and pioneer in scouting.”

Bobby was known as a true gentleman in his time in the league. When he joined the Texans in 2000, he said Casserly “is one of the most respected guys in our business.” But he received the same level of respect he gave to his seniors, juniors, and most importantly, his peers. 

Losing your father feels like a big break heart, as if losing your backbone. Acknowledging that sentiment, a Dolphins fan wrote for Chris Grier, “Sorry for your loss, Chris.” The Dolphins GM has taken great inspiration from his father’s work ethic and passion for the sport, which ultimately shaped him into the man he is today. 

So, sending their condolences for a man of such stature, fans wrote, “RIP Mr Grier.”

Bobby’s younger son, Mike Grier, the first black NHL General Manager, once shared a lesson he learned from his father. “I want them to see someone who’s worked hard, carries himself the right way. That is something my dad always stressed to me.” Bobby is gone. But his legacy, his wisdom, would stay with the people of his life forever. So, this one’s for you ‘Wizard’.