Bobby Grier, longtime NFL executive and father of Miami Dolphins general manager Chris Grier, has died. He was 82.
The Dolphins released a message on social media Monday morning offering their condolences.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Bobby Grier, father of general manager Chris Grier,” the Dolphins wrote. “Bobby was a longtime executive for the Patriots and Texans and a former consultant for the Dolphins.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the Grier family.”
After starting out as a high school coach and college assistant, Bobby Grier first broke into the NFL in 1981 with the New England Patriots. He went back and forth between leading their backfield on the field and scouting. Grier transitioned fully to the front office in 1993 as he worked under Bill Parcells, first as director of pro scouting, then director of player personnel in 1995 and finally vice president of player personnel in 1997.
Grier’s time with the Patriots came to an end in 2000 as New England brought in a new regime under coach Bill Belichick and his top personnel executive, Scott Pioli. Grier was with the team through the 2000 draft, in which the Patriots selected all-time great quarterback Tom Brady in the sixth round.
After leaving New England, Grier served as a personnel executive for the Houston Texans (2000-2016) and consultant for the Dolphins (2017-2025).
Along with Chris Grier, his brother, Mike Grier, has also risen to the career heights of GM in professional sports as a son of Bobby Grier. Mike Grier is the general manager of the NHL’s San Jose Sharks.
Chris Grier was a scout for the Patriots under his father before joining the Dolphins in 2000, initially as a scout before rising through the ranks, eventually to GM in 2016.
