Bobby Grier, an American professional football executive and coach who worked with three NFL teams for seven decades, passed away on Monday, September 22, 2025, at the age of 82.
Throughout his career as a remarkable coach and executive in the NFL, Bobby Grier served as the offensive backfield coach and running game coordinator, Director of Pro Scouting, Director of Player Personnel, and vice president of Player Personnel of the New England Patriots.
He also served as the associate director of pro scouting and senior personnel advisor for the Houston Texans, and most recently, as a consultant to the Miami Dolphins of the NFL.
Similarly, his demise has left a profound void in the lives of his family, friends, and loved ones.
Many of Bobby Grier’s loved ones are paying tribute to him and extending their heartfelt condolences to his family during this difficult time.
Bobby Grier was preceded in death by his beloved longtime wife, Wendola ‘Wendy’ Grier.
Wendy stood by Bobby’s side as a devoted wife and constant supporter throughout his personal and professional journey until her untimely demise.
Furthermore, Bobby’s wife, Wendy, passed away on December 7, 2009, in Webster, Texas, at an untimely age of 67 after a 10-year-long battle with diabetes and kidney disease.
Born on May 18, 1942, in Excelsior Springs, MO, to parents Wendell H. Carter and Lovetta Sidney Carter, Wendy was a great social worker and loved helping people in need.
However, she gave up a career in social work to support her husband Bobby’s coaching dreams and raise their two sons.
Late Bobby Grier and his Wife, Wendy, Raised Their Two Sons To Be Successful in Their Sports Career
Bobby Grier and his wife, Wendy, were great parents to their two sons, Christopher ‘Chris’ Grier and Michael ‘Mike’ Grier.
The late couple raised their two sons to be amazing athletes and build their careers in sports.
Furthermore, their eldest son, Christopher ‘Chris’ Grier, born on March 24, 1970, is following in his father Bobby’s footsteps in the NFL and continuing his legacy.
Chris Grier is an American professional football executive who has been the general manager of the Miami Dolphins of the NFL since 2016.
He has been working with the Miami Dolphins since 2000 in various scouting roles. Prior to the Miami Dolphins, Chris served as a scout for the New England Patriots from 1995 to 1999.
Chris played collegiate football at the University of Massachusetts Amherst for two years and then spent his final two years as an undergraduate assistant.
Similarly, their youngest son, Michael James ‘Mike’ Grier, born on January 5, 1975, is an American former professional ice hockey winger and current general manager of the San Jose Sharks in the NHL.
He played for the Edmonton Oilers, Washington Capitals, Buffalo Sabres, and San Jose Sharks.
Mike was the first African-American NHL player to train exclusively in the United States and the league’s first black general manager.
In addition to their two sons, Bobby Grier and his wife, Wendy, are survived by their two daughters-in-law, Anne and Paige Grier, four grandchildren, and the entire family.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Late Bobby Grier began his coaching career in 1966 as an assistant coach at Waterford Kettering High School in Waterford, Michigan.
- He also served as the head coach at Detroit’s Martin Luther King High School from 1970 to 1973, leading his team in the city championship with a 9-1 record.
- Bobby served as the running backs coach at Eastern Michigan and Boston College and played collegiate football at University of Iowa.
