False reports of Dick Vermeil’s death spread online, but the Hall of Fame coach is alive and thriving in his post-football career.
Richard Albert “Dick” Vermeil, born October 30, 1936, left a permanent mark on the game of football through his dedication, leadership, and emotional authenticity.
Vermeil began his coaching journey at the high school level before rising through the collegiate ranks, where he led UCLA to a memorable victory in the 1976 Rose Bowl.
His NFL career spanned 15 seasons as head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles, St. Louis Rams, and Kansas City Chiefs.
When Vermeil took over the Philadelphia Eagles in 1976, the team had been struggling for nearly two decades.
Within a few seasons, he transformed them into contenders, ultimately guiding them to their first Super Bowl appearance in 1981.
After stepping away from coaching due to burnout, he returned with the St. Louis Rams in 1997.
Just two years later, he orchestrated one of the greatest turnarounds in NFL history, winning Super Bowl XXXIV with “The Greatest Show on Turf.”
His final coaching stint with the Kansas City Chiefs once again proved his ability to rebuild and inspire a franchise.
Beyond his on-field success, Vermeil earned respect for his emotional sincerity, often tearing up during press conferences.
In 2022, his extraordinary career was recognized with induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Fans Mourned After False News of Dick Vermeil’s Death Spread on Facebook
Recently, social media platforms have been flooded with claims that Dick Vermeil has passed away. A Facebook post declaring,
“Farewell to a Legend: Just 30 minutes ago, heartbreaking news emerged that former Philadelphia Eagles head coach Dick Vermeil has passed away” quickly went viral, sparking tributes and messages of condolence from fans.
Facebook
However, it is important to clarify that these reports are false.
No credible news outlets or official sources have confirmed Vermeil’s death.
The rumor appears to have originated from confusion surrounding the recent passing of former Eagles general manager Jim Murray, the executive who once hired Vermeil.
This mix-up fueled the misunderstanding that Vermeil himself had died.
While some users rushed to post “RIP” messages, others corrected the misinformation, affirming that the Hall of Fame coach is still alive.
In reality, Dick Vermeil is very much alive and remains active well into his 80s.
After retiring from football, he settled in East Fallowfield and has dedicated much of his time to producing award-winning wines at Vermeil Wines.
His Napa Valley tasting room has even been voted the number one tasting room in Napa County for two years in a row.
Though the tasting room itself operates at a loss, Vermeil has stated he never entered the wine business for money, but for the love of making wine.
“I never went into the wine business to make money. I went into the business to make wine. And I’m proud of what we do,” he explained.
The ongoing success of his winery, along with his continued public appearances, reinforces the fact that reports of his death are nothing more than a hoax.
Vermeil remains a living symbol of leadership, passion, and resilience both on and off the field.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Dick Vermeil has been portrayed on screen by Greg Kinnear in Invincible (2006) and by Dennis Quaid in American Underdog (2021).
- Vermeil was widely known for his emotional press conferences, often breaking into tears when discussing his players or team.
- He was one of the NFL’s very first special teams coaches, hired by the Los Angeles Rams in 1969.
