Current and former members of the Minnesota Vikings took to social media on Sunday to offer their thoughts on the passing of Tony Sparano.
More than a decade after the tragic passing of Minnesota Vikings offensive lineman Korey Stringer, the franchise has been dealt with another sudden passing. On Sunday, the Vikings unfortunately had to announce that offensive line coach Tony Sparano has passed away at the age of 56.
According to ESPN’s Chris Mortensen, Sparano had visited the hospital last Thursday due to chest pains. Minnesota’s offensive line coach was found unconscious in his home on Sunday morning and he was unable to be revived.
It is certainly something no one in the Vikings organization saw coming. Just days before the Minnesota begins their 2018 training camp, the team’s coaches and players will now be arriving to the TCO Performance Center with heavy hearts.
After the news of Sparano’s passing was revealed on Sunday, a number of current Vikings players took to social media to express their thoughts and offer condolences to the coach’s family.
Really tough to see this, so much respect for this guy, great coach and great person! You will be missed by so many, thoughts and prayers to your family! RIP Coach https://t.co/cTFqtglDcD
— Adam Thielen (@athielen19) 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 (@KyleRudolph) July 22, 2018
Devastated to hear the news about Coach Sparano passing. Praying for his family through this tough time.
— Kirk Cousins (@KirkCousins8) July 22, 2018
Thoughts and prayers to the sparano family. I am truly heartbroken. We lost a great man to early. https://t.co/MXt26ZTZsx
— Everson Griffen (@EversonGriffen) July 22, 2018
RIP coach Tony
— Xavier Rhodes (@XavierRhodes29_) July 22, 2018
Rest In Peace Coach Sparano. I really can’t believe the news. A great coach and even better person. My condolences go out to the Sparano family. I think I speak for everyone when I say this season is for you!
— Kyle Sloter (@KyleSloter) July 22, 2018
https://twitter.com/cjham28/status/1021085407965073414
Man, when it rains it pours. Rest In Peace coach Sparano. Prayers going to your family and friends and our Viking organization. Lost 4 coaches in the past 2 months. Wishing I was able to reverse time and tell not just these people but everyone that’s import to me I appreciate you
— Tashawn Bower (@TashawnBower) July 22, 2018
You could tell Coach Sparano had true love and passion for the game. My thoughts and prayers are with the Sparano family. https://t.co/y1I8LZrKAA
— Tavarres King (@Tkunodos) July 22, 2018
https://twitter.com/stormnorton74/status/1021103111400763392
https://twitter.com/CaylebJones/status/1021109536130646016
https://twitter.com/JeffBadet__/status/1021114001634316288
Not only did some of Minnesota’s current players express their grief on social media on Sunday, but a bunch of the team’s former players also took some time to post about Sparano and the person he was.
https://twitter.com/teddyb_h2o/status/1021097477158719489
Beyond shocked to hear the news of Tony Sparano passing away. Heartfelt thoughts to him and his family & friends. #Vikings
— Ben Leber (@nacholeber) July 22, 2018
Vikings offensive line coach Tony Sparano dies at 56. Sad news! Very well respected coach in the league.
— Keith Millard (@keithjmillard75) July 22, 2018
— Jake Long (@JakeLong77) July 22, 2018
Coach Sparano helped me grow so much as a player, and as a man. I still can’t really wrap my head around that he is gone. Thanks for all your help coach! My thoughts and prayers are with your family. RIP Coach. https://t.co/uPIbQIi3FE
— Jeremiah Sirles (@Sirles71_HSKR) July 22, 2018
Man... I’m in total shock. RIP Tony Sparano. Hell of a coach and person. Had so much love for the game and the people around him. He will be truly missed by many people.
— Brandon Fusco (@BrandonFusco) July 22, 2018
The Vikings’ coach obviously had an impact on more than just the team’s offensive lineman. His time with Minnesota is certainly something no one in the organization will ever forget.
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News like this is never easy for any person to handle. But tragedies like Sparano’s passing help put things in perspective and remind people that the impact NFL coaches have on their players goes well beyond the game of football.