Article: Camp will open with emotions still raw after Tony Sparano's death
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-will-open-with-emotions-still-raw-after-tony-sparano-death/488951681/
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
There's no greater way to honor his name then to dedicate a successful season to him. Put his initials on their chest and show his family your respect. That would mean alot to his widow, children and grandchildren. Camp will open in a sullen mood. That's unavoidable. Meet, talk about it and grieve. Then it's time to do what Tony would want them to do. Work hard and get ready.
Courtney CroninVerified account @CourtneyRCronin 11m11 minutes ago
This isn't a movie or TV show, so its hard to know how the team will react. You may want to honor him as a player and use it as motivation but ultimately its tragic and very sad. It could have the opposite effect and linger. Cause a general malaise. This is just a game.
Just saw that about the cancellation on Friday. I plan to go Monday; wonder what it'll be like.....
56 is too close to my age now. So sad for his family and friends that he's gone so soon...
@"StickyBun" said:Most people by they time they're in their 20s have already experienced the loss of someone much closer to them then a coach. These guys did too. They found the will or even excelled because of it. Alot of these guy come from neighborhoods where life and death are daily reminders. They found strength to rise above. I don't think the average Alfa personality that creates the NFL player is going to be effected by a death. Not that they won't feel it. I don't believe it will have any effect emotionally. The loss of an experienced coach in preparation for the season would more likely have an effect on the team then the grief.Courtney CroninVerified account @CourtneyRCronin 11m11 minutes agoVikings announce the training camp practice on Friday, which is the day veteran players are slated to report, has been canceled so the team can attend a memorial service for former offensive line coach Tony Sparano, who died on Sunday.MoreThis isn't a movie or TV show, so its hard to know how the team will react. You may want to honor him as a player and use it as motivation but ultimately its tragic and very sad. It could have the opposite effect and linger. Cause a general malaise. This is just a game.
@"suncoastvike" said:Korey Stringer's death certainly affected them adversely.@"StickyBun" said:Courtney CroninVerified account @CourtneyRCronin 11m11 minutes agoMost people by they time they're in their 20s have already experienced the loss of someone much closer to them then a coach. These guys did too. They found the will or even excelled because of it. Alot of these guy come from neighborhoods where life and death are daily reminders. They found strength to rise above. I don't think the average Alfa personality that creates the NFL player is going to be effected by a death. Not that they won't feel it. I don't believe it will have any effect emotionally. The loss of an experienced coach in preparation for the season would more likely have an effect on the team then the grief.Vikings announce the training camp practice on Friday, which is the day veteran players are slated to report, has been canceled so the team can attend a memorial service for former offensive line coach Tony Sparano, who died on Sunday.MoreThis isn't a movie or TV show, so its hard to know how the team will react. You may want to honor him as a player and use it as motivation but ultimately its tragic and very sad. It could have the opposite effect and linger. Cause a general malaise. This is just a game.
@"Purplewhizz" said:Korey's death was a completely different situation. Happened as a direct result of a practice session and he was a player not a coach. I'd imagine their relationship with other players is somewhat different than it is with the coaches. Not sure obviously, but I think it would tougher in a situation like Korey's.@"suncoastvike" said:Korey Stringer's death certainly affected them adversely.@"StickyBun" said:Courtney CroninVerified account @CourtneyRCronin 11m11 minutes agoMost people by they time they're in their 20s have already experienced the loss of someone much closer to them then a coach. These guys did too. They found the will or even excelled because of it. Alot of these guy come from neighborhoods where life and death are daily reminders. They found strength to rise above. I don't think the average Alfa personality that creates the NFL player is going to be effected by a death. Not that they won't feel it. I don't believe it will have any effect emotionally. The loss of an experienced coach in preparation for the season would more likely have an effect on the team then the grief.Vikings announce the training camp practice on Friday, which is the day veteran players are slated to report, has been canceled so the team can attend a memorial service for former offensive line coach Tony Sparano, who died on Sunday.MoreThis isn't a movie or TV show, so its hard to know how the team will react. You may want to honor him as a player and use it as motivation but ultimately its tragic and very sad. It could have the opposite effect and linger. Cause a general malaise. This is just a game.
@"Purplewhizz" said:Not to sound cold but what adverse effect? A bad season? Yes a teamate dieing literally on the field had to be shoking. I don't think that caused the season to unravel. The loss of his leadership and play on the field hurt. As will the loss of Tony's coaching as well. That's not emotional that's manpower. Korey dieing was not the cause of the season failures. More then that happened. 911 happened that year. Alot of tragedy. Yet somehow championships were still won. Like I said. Don't mean to sound cold. Mourn for him. Show respect to him and honor him in a way that makes his family proud. If the season goes bad and I hear anyone from the team blame this death. Then they are not honoring him. He was a coach that's not what they teach.@"suncoastvike" said:Korey Stringer's death certainly affected them adversely.@"StickyBun" said:Courtney CroninVerified account @CourtneyRCronin 11m11 minutes agoMost people by they time they're in their 20s have already experienced the loss of someone much closer to them then a coach. These guys did too. They found the will or even excelled because of it. Alot of these guy come from neighborhoods where life and death are daily reminders. They found strength to rise above. I don't think the average Alfa personality that creates the NFL player is going to be effected by a death. Not that they won't feel it. I don't believe it will have any effect emotionally. The loss of an experienced coach in preparation for the season would more likely have an effect on the team then the grief.Vikings announce the training camp practice on Friday, which is the day veteran players are slated to report, has been canceled so the team can attend a memorial service for former offensive line coach Tony Sparano, who died on Sunday.MoreThis isn't a movie or TV show, so its hard to know how the team will react. You may want to honor him as a player and use it as motivation but ultimately its tragic and very sad. It could have the opposite effect and linger. Cause a general malaise. This is just a game.
Yes honor coach Sporano and give thoughts and prayers for him and his family.
But let us also keep coach Zimmer in our thoughts and prayers. Man has gone through a lot in the last 10 yesrs.
Death of his wife.
Waited forever to get first crack at a HC gig.
AP's issues in his first year I believe.
Teddy Bridgewaters knee.
Sammie sleeves 1st game great...done for year.
Now his friend and line coach gone just days before camp.
This man has a lot on his plate every freaking year and still puts a decent product on the field on Sundays.
Much respect for Coach Zim.
Press conference just happened about an hour ago and Spielman and Zimmer were both extremely emotional. Zimmer was already in tears as he got to the podium.
The emotions are pretty fresh right now. That presser was tough to watch. It's a huge loss but like Coach Zimmer said they will go through it together. I am rooting for them. Rooting for them not only as a team but as people going through a loss and trying to heal. Coach Zimmer has been through so much. He got choked up talking about Tony Sparano's wife, he said she reminded him of his wife. The emotions are running deep no doubt but he said Tony would want them to be out there. So they will feel it and it will hit them hard. They will honor him and remember him and keep on fighting because that's how they are built.
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