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San Jose Sharks general manager Mike Grier
Trailblazing isn’t easy. Mike Grier knows that firsthand — as the first Black general manager in NHL history with the San Jose Sharks, he’s carving a path few have walked.
But the courage to break barriers, to step into uncharted territory and lead with conviction, didn’t come from a manual. It came from his father, Bobby Grier, whose lessons on perseverance, integrity, and quiet leadership shaped not just Mike, but his brother Chris, now the general manager of the Miami Dolphins.
Longtime NFL Executive Bobby Grier Passed Away This Weekend
Bobby Grier passed away this weekend at 82, leaving behind a legacy that stretches from NFL front offices to NHL executive suites. He spent decades shaping teams and talent, first with the New England Patriots, later with the Houston Texans, and most recently consulting for the Dolphins — all while instilling in his sons the values that would allow them to become leaders in their own right.
Grier’s career in the NFL began in 1981 with the Patriots as an assistant coach. Over time, he moved into player personnel and front-office leadership, eventually serving as vice president of player personnel. He played a key role in the Patriots’ decision to draft Tom Brady in 2000, a move that would become the stuff of legend. Later, he joined the Houston Texans in 2000, helping shape a young franchise and oversee the selection of future stars, including J.J. Watt. In 2017, he returned to the NFL as a consultant for the Miami Dolphins, where he worked closely with his son Chris.
But while his professional resume was storied, it was his personal influence that made Grier a quiet force in sports. Those who worked with him recall a man who combined a sharp eye for talent with a patient, guiding hand — a coach, mentor, and father all in one.
Trailblazing Sharks GM Mike Grier Credits Father for Important Life Lessons
Mike Grier has spoken often about the lessons he absorbed from his father. In interviews, he reflected on Bobby Grier’s focus on work ethic, integrity, and staying the course when the odds were steep.
“I want them to see someone who’s worked hard, carries himself the right way. That is something my dad always stressed to me,” Mike Grier said in 2022, shortly after he was hired by the Sharks.
That emphasis on leading by example helped Mike Grier navigate the challenges of the NHL, both on the ice as a player and now in the front office as a groundbreaking executive.
Chris Grier followed a similar path, crediting his father for instilling the discipline and vision that guides his decisions as Dolphins GM. The family’s influence ripples across two of the biggest professional sports leagues in the U.S., a testament to the enduring values Bobby Grier passed on.
Bobby Grier’s mark is felt not just in the players he helped draft or the teams he helped shape, but in the next generation of leaders he nurtured. Mike and Chris Grier now carry forward his lessons in courage, diligence, and integrity, proving that the most important victories are not always on the scoreboard.
As the NHL and NFL reflect on Bobby Grier’s life, it’s clear that his true legacy is in the paths he paved — both through his sons and through a career defined by quiet excellence, mentorship, and a relentless commitment to doing things the right way.
Dave Benson is a veteran writer with over three decades of journalism experience covering sports primarily in the St. Louis metropolitan area. Dave is also a licensed English teacher and spent several years teaching at the middle school level. More about Dave Benson
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