In the pro football world, 2021 ended on a sad note with the death of John Madden. Well, 2022 is going to start on as sad of a note as it was revealed that former head coach Dan Reeves passed away at the age of 77 due to “complications from a long illness.”
Reeves played for the Dallas Cowboys in the late 60s and early 70s, appearing in Super Bowl’s V and VI. Along with seven more Super Bowl appearances as an assistant or head coach, Reeves has the third most Super Bowl appearances in NFL history (behind Bill Belichick and Tom Brady). And in those nine appearances, Reeves won two (VI and XII).
It’s in coaching where Reeves is best known for. He coached for the Cowboys as an assistant in the 70s and then took charge of the Denver Broncos, New York Giants, and Atlanta Falcons. While he didn’t win a Super Bowl as a head coach, his Broncos made it to the Super Bowl three times in four seasons in the late 80s. With the Falcons, Reeves made it to one final Super Bowl, ironically losing to the Broncos.
Many paid tribute to the coaching great.
One of the winningest coaches in NFL history, Coach Reeves set the foundation for the Broncos’ decade of dominance in the 1980s and championship tradition for years to come.
A statement from the Broncos on the passing of Dan Reeves: pic.twitter.com/gHcnqLqppq
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) January 1, 2022
Statement on the passing of Coach Dan Reeves
📸: https://t.co/LHXbhbnU6g pic.twitter.com/no56v0xdjY
— New York Giants (@Giants) January 1, 2022
Former Falcons head coach Dan Reeves has passed away.
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) January 1, 2022
Our thoughts & prayers are with the Reeves family. 💙
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) January 1, 2022
I’m saddened to hear about the passing of my beloved Coach Dan Reeves. He was a great husband, father and mentor to so many. I loved him like a father and he will truly be missed. My prayers are with his family during this time. Love you, Coach. pic.twitter.com/LBUmhqySDE
— Michael Vick (@MichaelVick) January 1, 2022
Another loss in the sports world at the passing of Dan Reeves, 38yrs in NFL as player and coach, participated in 9 SB’s…QB in college to RB in the NFL, tough runner, tough successful coach. Played against his teams multiple times, teams played tough like him, so respected. RIP!
— Mike Golic (@golic) January 1, 2022
The hits keep comin’. Just seeing the news of the passing of Dan Reeves. Tremendous man. Such great humor and intelligence. Privileged to have known him and called him friend. RIP Dan🙏🏻🙏🏻
— Brad Sham (@Boys_Vox) January 1, 2022
When I was in high school, I coached a youth football team in Longmont. I wore a suit and tie on the sidelines— because that’s how Dan Reeves dressed
Reeves played and coached in more Super Bowls than most people can only dream of. The Broncos were lucky to have him. RIP, coach. pic.twitter.com/QiIcLgaeOf
— Vic Vela (@VicVela1) January 1, 2022
Sad to hear the news of Dan Reeves death. What a wonderful football life he had, from his playing days to his coaching success. Along the way he remained one of the most humble and honorable men in the sport. 🙏🏻 to his friends & family.
— 𝐖𝐞𝐬 𝐃𝐮𝐫𝐡𝐚𝐦 (@WesDurham) January 1, 2022
This tells you the type of person Dan Reeves was: He quietly paid for the funeral of the daughter of a @Giants custodial staff member as he was leaving to become @AtlantaFalcons head coach. You will be hearing more of these stories in days to come as we celebrate his life. RIP
— Alex Marvez (@alexmarvez) January 1, 2022
So sad to hear about the passing of Dan Reeves, my next book will make a strong case for him to be included in the Hall of Fame. It's an injustice he does not have a gold jacket.
— Michael Lombardi (@mlombardiNFL) January 1, 2022
Back in ‘98, I hosted a radio show in Phoenix with @PaulCalvisi. For some reason, we got on the subject of Dan Reeves and the @AtlantaFalcons. On a whim, we decided to cold-call the Falcons to ask for Coach Reeves. He didn’t know us. He took the call! Did a 20-minute interview. pic.twitter.com/jVKjPANoYe
— Vic Lombardi (@VicLombardi) January 1, 2022
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