Vikes OLine Coach Passes Away at 56 - Tony Sporano

[Tom Moore]

https://twitter.com/VikeFans/status/1021077420441563136

[Guest]

Damn...

[Guest]

56 is way too young to meet your maker. RIP and prayers to family and Vikings too. 

[Guest]

That's shocking. I feel awful for him and his family.

[Guest]

Holy crap.  So sad for the family.

[Guest]

Rip  in  peace Tony  such  a bummer   feal so bad  for his  family way to young

[Guest]

With deep regret the Minnesota Vikings announce that Offensive Line Coach Tony Sparano unexpectedly passed away early this morning.
“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.” - Vikings Owners Mark and Zygi Wilf
Sparano began his NFL coaching career in 1999 with stints as a head coach with the Miami Dolphins and Oakland Raiders. Tony served as the Vikings offensive line coach since 2016. Tony played collegiately at the University of New Haven where he was a four-year letterman. Sparano was named New Haven’s head coach in 1994 and held the position for five seasons.
Tony is survived by his wife, Jeanette, his two sons; Tony and Andrew, his daughter, Ryan Leigh, and four grandchildren. Sparano was born October 7, 1961. He was 56 years old.
The Sparano family requests privacy at this time. The Vikings will provide further updates when appropriate.

[Guest]

Holy cow, that's insane...

[Guest]

Tony Sparano, who had been the Vikings' offensive line coach since 2016, died early Sunday morning at the age of 56, the team said.
"Our hearts go out to Jeanette and the entire Sparano family as we all mourn the loss of Tony," Vikings owners Mark and Zygi Wilf said in a statement. "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."
Emergency personnel were notified shortly after 8 a.m. Sunday of Sparano's need for medical attention.
Dispatch audio revealed that a female was performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation on Sparano at the home in the Bearpath gated community in Eden Prairie.
ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported Sparano had recently complained of chest pains and went to the hospital on Thursday, before being released Friday after a round of tests. According to Mortensen, Sparano's wife Jeanette found him unconscious in the couple's kitchen when both were about to leave for church on Sunday morning.
The news stunned the Vikings organization two days before rookies were scheduled to report to training camp at the team's practice facility in Eagan. Sparano, known around the league for his no-nonsense approach and a gruff demeanor that belied a gregarious personality, was set to be back in the building on Monday as coaches returned to work. His death prompted an outpouring of support from his former players on social media.
"I really can't believe the news," Vikings quarterback Kyle Sloter tweeted. "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!"
"Sparano family, I am so sorry for your loss," Raiders quarterback Derek Carr, who played for Sparano as a rookie in 2014, tweeted on Sunday. "Coach believed in me, trusted me and stuck with me as a rookie. He would check in on my family every [head coach and quarterback] meeting we would have! He was a great man! I love you coach!"
Sparano, who was the Miami Dolphins' head coach from 2008-11, replaced Jeff Davidson as the Vikings' offensive line coach two years ago and rejoined coach Mike Zimmer nine years after the two had last worked together in Dallas. He came to Minnesota after a year as the San Francisco 49ers' tight ends coach, and worked with new Vikings offensive coordinator John DeFilippo while both were in Oakland during the 2014 season.
Despite all of ups, downs and never-ending relocations throughout his career, Sparano, from West Haven, Conn., never lost sight of his humble beginnings.
As a 16-year-old, he nearly lost his vision in a fast-food restaurant work accident that sent hot oil exploding into his face.
That's why he was rarely seen without his signature sunglasses.
"You can see there's still a scar on my face," Sparano told the Star Tribune shortly after taking the job in Minnesota in 2016. "I had a patch over my left eye for 22 days, a patch over my right eye for 14. The left eye never did get right. The cornea is burnt and sun-sensitive, light-sensitive.
"I hear people always say, 'Why does he have these sunglasses on at a night game?' Or, 'Why is he wearing them inside?' Hey, it's that kind of bright light that causes my eyes to start running, tearing and crying.
"So that's the story. Indoors or not, if the lights are on, the sunglasses are on."
He'll be remembered for those glasses, but for much more. A football coach who followed his passion all over the NFL, an offensive line specialist who proved he could step into big moments as he did in Miami, and in Minnesota as someone who could help turn around an offense.
He is survived by his wife Jeanette, two sons Tony and Andrew, daughter Ryan Leigh and four grandchildren. The Vikings said they would "provide further updates when appropriate."


http://www.startribune.com/vikings-assis...488833451/

[Guest]

Very sad news indeed.
Too soon to speculate about his replacement?