Dick Vermeil
Head Coach — Los Angeles Rams
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About Dick Vermeil
Dick Vermeil coached the St. Louis Rams to a Super Bowl XXXIV victory in the 1999 season, turning a franchise that had won four games the year before into world champions behind the Greatest Show on Turf. That roster had Kurt Warner, Marshall Faulk, Isaac Bruce, and Torry Holt, and they scored points like they were playing a different sport. Vermeil's coaching was excellent, but what people remember most is that he cried about everything. He cried after wins. He cried after losses. He cried at press conferences, award ceremonies, team dinners, and probably at stoplights. The man wore his emotions on both sleeves and his pant legs.
Vermeil retired after winning the Super Bowl, came back to coach the Chiefs, then retired again. He is one of the most beloved figures in Rams history because he took a hopeless franchise and turned it into the most exciting offense the NFL had ever seen. But the meme legacy is the crying. Vermeil could be talking about a backup long snapper and his voice would crack. He could be discussing the weather in St. Louis and start tearing up about the humidity. His emotional availability was genuine, wholesome, and completely unlimited. Every press conference was one sentence away from a full breakdown.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Dick Vermeil known for crying?
Because he did it constantly, openly, and without apology. Vermeil cried after the Super Bowl win. He cried during his Hall of Fame speech. He cried when talking about assistant coaches, retired players, and the concept of teamwork in general. In an era when NFL coaches tried to look like emotionless robots, Vermeil was weeping on national television because a third-string running back reminded him of his father. It was sincere every single time, which made it both endearing and endlessly memeable.
What was the Greatest Show on Turf?
The nickname for Vermeil's 1999-2001 Rams offense, which featured Kurt Warner at quarterback, Marshall Faulk at running back, and Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt at wide receiver. They scored over 500 points in 1999 and 2000, which was absurd for that era. The offense was so fast and so explosive that defensive coordinators around the league had no answer for it. Vermeil built the system and then cried tears of joy watching it work every Sunday.
Last updated: April 2026