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purplefaithful · 08-16-2018, 12:58 AM

An emotional afternoon practice for the Sparano family began and ended with mother and son hugging, wiping away tears and talking about the husband and father they thought would share this moment at TCO Performance Center.
“We’re doing as well as we can because we’re really strong, really resilient, the way Dad and Mom raised us, the way this family is built,” said Tony Jr., Jacksonville’s 31-year-old assistant offensive line coach, after the Jaguars and Vikings held their first joint practice Wednesday.
Dad was Tony Sr., the 56-year-old Vikings offensive line coach who suffered a fatal heart attack July 22, two days before his third Vikings training camp would have begun. Son, dad, mom Jeanette and other family members, including the grandkids, were looking forward to this as a joyous week a mere 26 days ago.
http://www.startribune.com/tony-sparano-...490977551/

08-16-2018, 12:59 AM

As Tony Jr. worked, Jeanette sat nearby watching him closely with a sideline pass she got from the Vikings. At one point, coach Mike Zimmer’s secretary, Mary Redmond, sat with her arm around Jeanette as they watched together.
When practice ended, Vikings left tackle Riley Reiff had an extended conversation with Tony Jr. on the field. He wasn’t the only Viking to approach with kind words about Tony Sr.
“My dad loved this team, loved these players, loved being a Viking,” Tony Jr. said. “It’s really cool to see how much he meant to those guys and how much he cared about them.”
After a year of coaching in the now-defunct UFL, Tony Jr. spent two years as an offensive quality control coach for the Dolphins. Dad was the head coach.
“He was the most genuine, caring and compassionate person I ever met,” Tony Jr. said. “Everyone sees the exterior and the football coach and what he was like in Miami with the sunglasses. But he cared about people. He cared about impacting people. He wanted to help people better themselves.”
The post-practice hug between mom and son was longer and more emotional. As they talked, Tom Coughlin, Jaguars vice president of football operations, came up and hugged Jeanette. Then Jaguars head coach Doug Marrone did the same.
“It’s a difficult situation for both [teams],” Marrone said. “To be able to come up here and … pay my respects, and for Tony [Jr.] to come back up here, I think it’s very emotional.”

Confused

08-16-2018, 02:13 PM

Thank you for sharing that PF. Had no idea Tony's son coached for the Jags. What was going to be a father vs son week became a tribute to the father. I can only imagine what it meant to have Tony's men come and share their respect with Jr.

08-16-2018, 02:28 PM

That nice. Anyway to give a family strength after an unexpected death is very helpful in the grieving process.
Curious, has anybody heard if they will pay tribute to Tony this season? Maybe a patch on their jersey or a sticker on the helmet type thing.

08-16-2018, 02:49 PM

Quote: @suncoastvike said:
That nice. Anyway to give a family strength after an unexpected death is very helpful in the grieving process.
Curious, has anybody heard if they will pay tribute to Tony this season? Maybe a patch on their jersey or a sticker on the helmet type thing.

During the game @ Denver, Leber was showing how a TS logo is going to be on the back of players helmets this year. Probably more coming too.

08-16-2018, 02:57 PM

Quote: @purplefaithful said:

@suncoastvike said:
That nice. Anyway to give a family strength after an unexpected death is very helpful in the grieving process.
Curious, has anybody heard if they will pay tribute to Tony this season? Maybe a patch on their jersey or a sticker on the helmet type thing.
During the game @ Denver, Leber was showing how a TS logo is going to be on the back of players helmets this year. Probably more coming too.

Fitting gesture. I thought they'd do something like that.
Thanks