You’d be hard pressed to find somebody who loved football as much the iconic Paul Wiggin. He continued to work late into his life to make sure he could stay around the game. He did so until until the very end.

After spending more than 40 years with the Vikings, serving in a variety of different roles, Wiggin died on Friday at age 91.

“We had the honor of meeting Paul when we purchased the team in 2005,” co owners Mark and Zygi Wilf said in a joint statement. “It quickly became clear how much he loved the Minnesota Vikings. He captivated staff members and us with his stories about the history of the franchise and the NFL. He cared about players, coaches and staff, and he wanted nothing more than to win a Super Bowl for Vikings fans.”

After wrapping up his playing career with the Cleveland Browns, Wiggin started his coaching career, working for the San Francisco 49ers, Kansas City Chiefs, and New Orleans Saints before legendary head coach Bud Grant eventually hired him with the Vikings in 1985.

In his role as the defensive line coach, Wiggin worked closely with some top talent for the Vikings, including Hall of Famer defensive end Chris Doleman and Hall of Fame defensive tackle John Randle.

“The original guru,” Randle said in a release. “He had a quiet way of imparting his knowledge and wisdom in a way that changed the game. He never raised his voice or spoke in harsh words. His humble leadership pushed you to be a better player and a better man.”

After working as the defensive line coach for the better part of a decade, Wiggin eventually transitioned to the front office for the Vikings, where he continued to be a mainstay within the organization.

“A legend as a person, player, coach, and personnel executive,” executive vice president of football operations Rob Brzezinski said in a release. “For 40 years, he demonstrated an incredible dedication to the Vikings, a team he truly loved.”

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