National Football League

Reaction to death of Titans owner Bud Adams

Published Oct. 21, 2013 10:35 p.m. ET

foxsports

Some reaction Monday to the death of Titans owner Bud Adams. He was 90.

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''When my father Lamar set out to start a new league to rival the NFL in 1959, the first person he went to visit was Bud Adams. Lamar, Bud and the other visionary owners of the American Football League believed that fans across the country would embrace pro football if given the chance, and they were right. ... Lamar and Bud enjoyed a friendship that spanned five decades and saw the emergence of pro football as America's Game. Our family will always appreciate Bud's spirited and enthusiastic support of my father's ''foolish'' idea, and we are saddened today by the news of his passing.'' - Kansas City Chiefs chairman and CEO Clark Hunt

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''As original AFL team owners, we all shared a common bond and a deep sense of pride in where we started in 1960 to where the NFL is today and how much our fans enjoy the game of professional football. Bud certainly played an important role in the growth and development of our game and today I am remembering with great fondness all the laughs we shared with the special memories over the years. Through it all, our teams played some of the most memorable games in AFL and NFL history.'' - Buffalo Bills owner Ralph Wilson Jr.

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''His commitment to the best interests of the game and league was unwavering, and his personal along with the team's impact in community relations and philanthropy set a standard for the NFL. Bud was truly a gift to the NFL. We extend our deepest sympathy to his daughters Susan and Amy, and the entire family.'' - NFL commissioner Roger Goodell

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''We have been friends for over 30 years and our city has lost a great Houstonian. Bud brought football to Houston as the city's first professional sports venture. As a founding member of the AFL, Bud had a vision, he saw the league through tough years and was instrumental in the AFL merging to become the NFL we know and love today. ...Bud knew I had a passion for NFL ownership and helped me along the path toward where I am now. In the early 1990s, he was vital in getting me involved with the NFL which eventually led to expansion.'' - Houston Texans owner Bob McNair

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''Mr. Adams gave me my first opportunity to be a head coach in the NFL, and I'm eternally grateful to him for that. We enjoyed a great deal of success together during my 17 seasons with the organization, and I'll cherish those memories for the rest of my life.'' - St. Louis Rams coach Jeff Fisher, former Oilers-Titans coach between November 1994 and January 2011

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''He could have just eased through life. A lot of people do that, and he didn't. He went out and lived it. He did things the way he wanted to, and sometimes we'd all wring our hands when he said what he wanted to. And I admire him for it. Probably most of us should do a little more of that.'' - Phil Bredesen, former Nashville mayor and Tennessee governor who negotiated the Oilers' relocation with Adams

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''He would come up at times and always would be in the locker room after games. ... He had been around for so long, he had seen so many different things. There was definitely a feeling in our locker room, coaching staff and whole organization that we wanted to go out and win for him. We got to the Super Bowl, but we were a couple plays short of being able to present him a trophy.'' - Detroit Lions coach Jim Schwartz and former Titans defensive coordinator

''We are sad to hear about the passing of Titans Owner Bud Adams. I will never forget when I first bought the Redskins how gracious he was and the passion that he had for pro football. It was wonderful to be one of his friends.'' - Washington Redskins owner Dan Snyder

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''Loyalty was always a strong trademark of Bud Adams. He turned down an opportunity to place an NFL team in Houston, because he had already made a prior commitment to Lamar Hunt and the AFL. Bud was a role model for me. He was a great man and a great Texan. He will be missed and remembered.'' - Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones

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''Anyone who has ever enjoyed the experience of NFL football - fans, sponsors, business partners, players, coaches, club staff and club owners - owes Bud Adams a tremendous debt of gratitude today.'' - Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank

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''Mr. Adams was profoundly instrumental in the growth of professional football and his historical influence on our game is undeniable. His contributions will continue to positively impact the communities of Houston and the state of Tennessee as well as the entire NFL.'' - Detroit Lions president Tom Lewand

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''Tennesseans will remember and always be grateful to Bud Adams for bringing us the excitement of professional football, as well as for his big and generous heart.'' - U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander, R.-Tenn.

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''Bud obviously played a critical role in bringing professional football to Nashville and Tennessee. Nashville has grown and exploded. Honestly, being the home of a professional football team has made a big difference there. I did not know Bud had passed away. I'm really sad to hear that, sorry for his family. It's think it's really important we recognize the contribution he's made to the state.'' - Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam