Why Super Bowl winning, NFL Hall of Fame coach Dick Vermeil visited Greenville for a day

Writer's Note: The Greenville News does not encourage the excessive use of alcohol or any other substance. We advocate for healthy, clean and wholesome social experiences and encourage our readers to never drink and drive or consume alcohol beyond the legal limitations set by South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. Our coverage on food & dining may, at times, include adult beverages, with the intention to provide information on the budding social scene of Greenville.

National Football League Hall of Famer and Super Bowl champion coach Dick Vermeil spent an evening in Greenville on Wednesday, Dec. 6, promoting his 2008 established Vermeil Wines.

Vermeil also visited an old friend and new investor in Greenville at the City Club of Greenville.

What began as a hobby with friends from Napa Valley, turned into a full-fledged business, and today his passion for fermented grapes produces between 1,600 and 1,900 cases of wine per year from the Frediani Vineyards in California.

In front of a private crowd of nearly 100 investors and visitors, Vermeil spent time speaking about his passion for winemaking, his time as an NFL and college coach and also his connection to the budding social scene in Greenville.

"I've never been here before. I'm very impressed," said Vermeil on his first impressions of Greenville. "This is very clean and very quaint. It doesn't give you the feeling of a great big city, but it has a lot to offer. It's a beautiful little city."

Vermeil's connection to Greenville comes from a childhood bond with Michael Grozier, founder of House of Blues and CEO of Trueline Brands, who will oversee an upcoming 2024 entertainment venture in the West End, which will hold nearly 2,100 patrons and feature lounges, food and national touring artists.

"It's a wonderful opportunity to support Michael Grozier," said Vermeil. "And an opportunity to pour our wines for people who know we're not in this business."

Grozier, 64, was able to bring Vermeil to Greenville on the strength of their friendship which began during his time at Villanova University, as classmates with Vermeil's children, and evolved through the Hall of Fame coach's NFL career with the Philadelphia Eagles, St. Louis Rams and Kansas City Chiefs.

"I think he's a very special man," Grozier said. "He's had an amazing life and career, he makes great wine and he's been a hero of mine since I was a kid."

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While in downtown Greenville, Vermeil visited The Grand Bohemian Lodge, Falls Park on the Reedy, and took a tour of the new Trueline entertainment venue.

"I've been fortunate to meet ... (a few) of my heroes," Grozier added. "The fact that your hero cares about you feels really special."

When asked about his thoughts on the current state of football, Vermeil responded:

"The game is more exciting than it's ever been, it's more wide open. There's more spread formations, more passing, more skilled athletes involved, more varieties of offense," Vermeil said. "I'm a little concerned about the NIL and what's going on in college football. It's scary, where is it going to go?"

As for his less than 24-hour visit to Greenville, Vermeil concluded, "I'm just very proud to pour Vermeil Wines with Michael Grozier."

And as for Greenville, "I'll be back," he added.

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– A.J. Jackson covers the food & dining scene, along with arts, entertainment and more for The Greenville News. Contact him by email at ajackson@gannett.com, and follow him on Twitter @ajhappened.

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: NFL Hall of Fame Coach Dick Vermeil visits Greenville to promote wine.