NFL
Vikings OL Coach Tony Sparano Dies at 56
Tony Sparano, offensive line coach for the Minnesota Vikings, passed away Sunday morning. Sparano was 56 years old.
The Vikings broke the news of Sparano’s death in a public statement, with owners Mark and Zygi Wilf commenting:
“Our hearts go out to Jeanette and the entire Sparano family as we all mourn the loss of Tony. Tony was a passionate and driven individual who cared deeply about his family, and especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren. Tony’s presence within the Vikings organization will be deeply missed. We are only thinking of Tony’s family during this incredibly difficult time. We ask that the entire NFL and Vikings family keep the Sparanos in their thoughts.”
Sparano, significantly, had been struggling with chest pains this past week and spent Thursday night in a hospital, according to ESPN’s Chris Mortensen:
1/2 More details on tragic passing of Vikings’ OL coach Tony Sparano, via @mortreport. Sparano complained about chest pains this weekend and went to hospital Thursday. Doctors did tests, but released him Friday.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 22, 2018
2/2 Tony Sparano and his wife, Jeannette, were about to leave for church this morning when she found him unconscious in their kitchen. She tried CPR, but he could not be revived. He was 56.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 22, 2018
Sparano started coaching in the NFL in 1999, eventually landing a head coaching job with the Miami Dolphins in 2008. The Dolphins, coming off a franchise-low 1-15 season, transformed under Sparano. In his first season in charge, Sparano’s Dolphins went 11-5 to win the AFC East, thus ending a seven-year playoff drought.
Following two more seasons in Miami, Sparano briefly served as offensive coordinator for the Jets before moving to the Raiders. Sparano, hired as assistant head coach and offensive line coach by the Raiders, made his final return to head coaching with Oakland in 2014. After losing their first four games, the Raiders promoted Sparano to interim head coach for the rest of the season.
Sparano spent the next season with the 49ers before taking a job with the Vikings, becoming offensive line coach in 2016. In Sparano’s last season, the Vikings made a historic playoff to reach the NFC Championship game.
Players Took To Twitter To Honor Their Former Coach
You will truly be missed by your loved ones, the guys you coached and the ones you’ve impacted over the years coach Sparano. Calm, cool and always wearing your shades no matter how dark the room was. Thank you for caring about the us as individuals and not just athletes ??.
— Teddy Bridgewater (@teddyb_h2o) July 22, 2018
Sporano Family I am so sorry for your loss. Coach believed in me, trusted me, and stuck with me as a rookie. He would check on my family every HC and QB meeting we would have! He was a great man! I love you coach!
— Derek Carr (@derekcarrqb) July 22, 2018
RIP Coach Sparano ??
— Khalil Mack (@52Mack_) July 22, 2018
Thoughts and prayers to Mrs. Sparano, his family and everyone in the @Vikings organization.. life’s precious and we just never know when it’s our time.. RIP Coach.. https://t.co/vOzlSoUTlq
— Kyle Rudolph (@KyleRudolph82) July 22, 2018
We lost a great man today in our football family. I was only around coach Tony Sparano for a year. But left a lasting impact on my life. Football meant a lot to him but family was everything. My prayers go out to his family. ?
— Maurice Jones-Drew (@MJD) July 22, 2018
Heart broken and lost for words! We lost a great man. Prayers to the Sparano family. So glad I got to see you and tell ya how much you meant to me a month ago. @Vikings #RIPTony
— Brian Hartline (@brianhartline) July 22, 2018
Tony Sparano is survived by his wife, three children, and four grandchildren. No cause of death is available at this time.
