Buddy Ryan battling cancer, Rex says
Up to the minute Philadelphia sports news, Phillies, 76ers, Eagles, Flyers, college sports and more from Philly.com
Buddy Ryan battling cancer, Rex says
Daily News staff
Former Eagles coach Buddy Ryan has been diagnosed with cancer, his son Rex, told the New York Daily News at the NFL owners meetings in New Orleans.
Buddy was recently diagnosed and received a confirmation with additional tests yesterday at a Manhattan hospital.
"It's going to take more than this to get rid of him," Rex Ryan told the newspaper. "That's what he always says."
Rex did not specify what type of cancer his father was diagnosed with "a couple of weeks ago."
"He's 80 years old, but he's doing great. He's tougher than (s---)," Ryan said of his father, who actually turned 77 last month. "He's had other things in his life. He overcame encephalitis. He's overcome cancer twice. He's tough."
Buddy's previous bouts with cancer were melanoma, a form of skin cancer.
"It's something else. I'm not going to get into it," Rex said. "He's a tough old guy. He's getting a second opinion. He should be all right."
**
To read out post about Leonard Weaver's remarks, click here.
Download our NEW iPhone/Android app for even more Birds coverage, including app-exclusive videos and analysis. Get it here.
Comment removed.- It actually is a football thing....if you grew up watching Buddy Ryan with argue-ably the best defense in history you would understand this. Next to Dick Vermeil Buddy could run for mayor and guarantee a win. You talked straight and dirty and thats the way his players played. And the fans will always love Buddy for being Buddy.
Buddy only has one flaw. He knows @hit about offense.— ianstuckinfla - hey Stevenic...seriously? Why the hate? While Buddy never won a playoff game, he was hardly a total failure. He assembled one of the best defenses in team history, and his teams played with a swagger that made them easy to root for. Plus, he openly fueded with that cheap owner Norman Braman. You must not be old enough to realize how cool Buddy was. Whatever. Keep fighting coach!
— Coyle - Comment removed.
- Buddy took the Birds from boring to interesting at a time when they were doing nothing fast. If Cunningham did not break a leg against Green Bay in game 1 of the 1991 season, Buddy would have had his ring. The defense was one of the best that ever played, and with Randall, the offense was one play away from a touchdown. — haroldtheb
- We all know that you'll give it all the fight you have Buddy. And that's always been good enough. Best of luck.— Ballgame
- Wishes and prayers to the Ryan family.
And for all you little hoo-hahs that just don't get it ---- Buddy Ryan made the Eagles fun to watch again!!!!! That's why we liked him so much.— BillyFortune - Buddy was a likable guy. Don't remember him always lying to us. I was not a fan of his, but he always said what he thought. I pray that he can win this battle against cancer. Wishing hem the best.— oneway
- Best of luck Buddy.— Joe at the shore
- Hang in there coach!!!! Our prayers are with you and your family.— adipaolo
- Take a look at the history list of Eagle coaches, then tell me how bad a coach Buddy Ryan was.Stay strong Coach.— youwish
- Stevenic.....believe it or not, it's not just about the wins and losses. Buddy never had a condescending tone during his news conferences - no double talk just straight to the point. Buddy backed his players during the strike - can you see Andy doing that?
That said.....get well quickly Buddy!— jimyd0315 - Comment removed.
- Stevenic, not to compare apple w/ oranges, 'cause I'm an AR fan as well as a Buddy Ryan fan, but if Buddy stuck around for 10+ years, then I believe he would of had just as good a chance as AR has to win a Super Bowl. Hell, if he didn't get fired, I think that group of Eagles would of went on to win a Super Bowl. Those players loved Buddy, I really just believe he should of learned to delegate power to his assistants better. He certainly was a better option than Kotite...His tenure was one of the more enjoyable eras in Eagles' football. He did win. I think it's just a matter of him not getting enough time to finish the job because the Eagles had one of the worst owners in Philly sports history at the time. Such is life...
- Buddy is what the Eagles needed at the time to get them out of the
mid 80's doldrums. Those who point out his failure to win playoff games forget how hard it is just to get into the playoffs, and make me wonder why complaining losers expect others to win all the time.— retzlaff
