07-24-2018, 11:25 AM
There's no road map to guide someone's ability to grieve the loss of friend while also confronting the need to press forward. Vikings coach Mike Zimmer will face the challenge of moving his team forward after the death of assistant Tony Sparano.
Vikings rookies report for training camp Tuesday under a cloud of sorrow that renders football matters rather insignificant.
The entire organization is dealing with shock and grief over the sudden death of offensive line coach Tony Sparano at age 56. Sparano died at home Sunday morning after reportedly experiencing chest pains three days earlier.
The outpouring of emotion on social media from players inside the Vikings locker room and also around the league speaks to Sparano’s imprint on his profession. He was respected as a coach, beloved as a man and admired for his devotion to his family.
Vikings coaches returned to work Monday from pre-camp vacation, and one can only imagine how difficult that must have been. Coaching football isn’t a 9-to-5 occupation. Coaches spend more time with each other than their own families during the season. By all accounts, Sparano was the ultimate grinder who never shortchanged his players.
This will be a painful time for the organization. Especially for the offensive linemen and coach Mike Zimmer, who unfortunately has endured more than his share of tragedy, including the death of his wife when he coached in Cincinnati.
The Vikings arrive at camp with Super Bowl-or-bust expectations, but this is not the time for that discussion. Right now, Zimmer is dealing with human emotion and the impact on his players and assistant coaches.
The entire team is scheduled to report later this week. It will be time for reflection and mourning and undoubtedly retelling many stories of Sparano’s life and coaching career...
Rest of article:
http://www.startribune.com/vikings-camp-...488951681/
Vikings rookies report for training camp Tuesday under a cloud of sorrow that renders football matters rather insignificant.
The entire organization is dealing with shock and grief over the sudden death of offensive line coach Tony Sparano at age 56. Sparano died at home Sunday morning after reportedly experiencing chest pains three days earlier.
The outpouring of emotion on social media from players inside the Vikings locker room and also around the league speaks to Sparano’s imprint on his profession. He was respected as a coach, beloved as a man and admired for his devotion to his family.
Vikings coaches returned to work Monday from pre-camp vacation, and one can only imagine how difficult that must have been. Coaching football isn’t a 9-to-5 occupation. Coaches spend more time with each other than their own families during the season. By all accounts, Sparano was the ultimate grinder who never shortchanged his players.
This will be a painful time for the organization. Especially for the offensive linemen and coach Mike Zimmer, who unfortunately has endured more than his share of tragedy, including the death of his wife when he coached in Cincinnati.
The Vikings arrive at camp with Super Bowl-or-bust expectations, but this is not the time for that discussion. Right now, Zimmer is dealing with human emotion and the impact on his players and assistant coaches.
The entire team is scheduled to report later this week. It will be time for reflection and mourning and undoubtedly retelling many stories of Sparano’s life and coaching career...
Rest of article:
http://www.startribune.com/vikings-camp-...488951681/
