Former NFL coach Dan Reeves dead at age 77

Dan Reeves, who coached teams in four Super Bowls and finished his career as one of the winningest coaches in NFL history, died on Saturday.

“Legendary NFL player and coach Dan Reeves passed away early this morning, peacefully and surrounded by his loving family at his home in Atlanta, GA,” his family said in a statement provided to NFL Network. 

“He passed away at age 77 due to complications from a long illness. His legacy will continue through his many friends, players and fans as well as the rest of the NFL community.”

Reeves coached the Denver Broncos, New York Giants and Atlanta Falcons, and is the only person to ever appear in multiple Super Bowls as both a player and a coach.

As a player, he was part of the Dallas Cowboys team that won Super Bowl VI in the 1971 season. During his coaching career, he made it to the Super Bowl four times but never clinched a victory.

However, with 190 total coaching wins, Reeves is the ninth most winning coach in NFL history, according to The Associated Press.

“Dan Reeves leaves a lasting legacy in our game as a player and coach,” Falcons owner Arthur Blank said in a statement. “His track record of success in Dallas, Denver, New York and Atlanta over several decades speaks for itself, marking a long and successful life and career in football.” 

“The football world lost a heckuva coach and man today in Dan Reeves,” said John Elway, who previously played for Reeves and is now president of football operations for the Denver Broncos, added in a statement.