Bobby Grier, a longtime NFL executive credited with the New England Patriots drafting Tom Brady and J.J. Watt going to the Houston Texans, died at age 82.
Grier, the father of Dolphins general manager Chris Grier and San Jose Sharks GM Mike Grier, had been a consultant with Miami since 2017.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Bobby Grier, father of general manager Chris Grier,” the Dolphins said in a statement Monday. “Bobby was a longtime executive for the Patriots and Texans and a former consultant for the Dolphins. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Grier family.”
A running back at Iowa who began his career as a high school football coach, Bobby Grier became running backs coach at Boston College before he spent his adult life dedicated to professional football. He was an assistant coach, scout and executive for two teams from 1981-2016.
With the Patriots he was assistant backfield coach before becoming a scout (1982-85), coached again from 1985-92 and then was director of pro scouting (1993-94), director of player personnel (1995-96) and vice president of player personnel from 1997 to 2000.
“Bobby Grier was a man of tremendous integrity,” said Robert Kraft, chairman and CEO of the Patriots. “He broke barriers and built bridges, and his legacy will forever be part of our franchise’s history. We are grateful for his years of service and the impact he had on so many people within our organization and across the NFL. My thoughts are with his family and all who are mourning his loss.”
Bobby Grier was credited with doing much of the pre-draft work on Brady as a Michigan quarterback prospect. Watt being drafted No. 11 in the 2011 draft by the Texans was also the work of Grier, according to former defensive coordinator Wade Phillips.
Bobby Grier worked with the Patriots until 2000, when Bill Belichick hired Scott Pioli to oversee the personnel department.
Bobby Grier joined the Texans that year and stayed with the team through the 2016 draft.
