Minnesota Vikings offensive line Tony Sparano died unexpectedly Sunday morning at his home in Eden Prairie. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, he had experienced chest pain three days prior and visited a doctor just two days before his death.
His sudden passing led to an outpouring of memories from those he came in contact with over his lengthy career.
Here’s a sampling of what came across Twitter in the 24 hours following the news of Sparano’s death.
I am forever grateful to have had Tony Sparano in my life. He believed in hard work, honesty, & the power of people working together for a common purpose & goal. Reading the words of his players & my teammates confirms the impact Coach had on all of us. We love you Coach!
— Chad Pennington (@ChadPennington) July 23, 2018
I’m still In shock about the passing of Tony Sparano! He was a players coach everybody loved him, he gave me a chance to come to Miami and show that I could be an every down running back when not many people believed in me! He will be missed but not forgotten! Love you coach RIP
— Reggie Bush (@ReggieBush) July 22, 2018
— Jake Long (@JakeLong77) July 22, 2018
Former NFL LB Kevin Burnett remembers Tony Sparano as being relatable and real: “He never talked down to you, you knew he respected you, and because of that he commanded respect back without having to ask for it” https://t.co/fCFbGwXXZj pic.twitter.com/uUWAWIaONT
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) July 23, 2018
#RIP #TonySparano pic.twitter.com/mKEbf4Iehv
— Austin Howard (@AustinHoward68) July 23, 2018
Coach Pat Shurmur shares his thoughts on the passing of Tony Sparano. pic.twitter.com/6BXPdQcaxv
— New York Giants (@Giants) July 22, 2018
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
Our hearts are heavy hearing about the passing of coach Sparano. He was a great coach/mentor/friend. I will always look back fondly on the time I spent under his guidance. Thoughts and… https://t.co/nlhwpdwtHR
— Mike Remmers (@mremmers74) July 22, 2018
Once you got pass the tough guy persona, Tony Sparano was more than coach for the O Line I saw him touch the lives of players outside of the O Line room. I’ve had players from other teams tell me how much Tony meant to them. His reach and touch was beyond the Minn Vikings! RIH https://t.co/dhF8d34IVa
— Greg Coleman (@gregcoleman8) July 23, 2018
A few years ago i called my friend Tony Sparano, at the time the head coach of the #Raiders. There was a little girl named Ava Urrea who had been through numerous heart surgeries and her family were huge Raiders fans. Wanting to give the family an amazing weekend with Ava I (1/4)
— Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) July 23, 2018
called Tony and asked if he could help.
Help would be putting it mildly.
After we flew Ava to Oakland from Vegas, the Coach went sooooo far above and beyond for her and her family… tons of stuffed animals and football gear awaited, Tony had her break the team down at (2/4)— Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) July 23, 2018
practice, on the sideline before their next game and as you can see in the photo made her a part of his team. He called after, trying to keep it together, that Ava moved him and his players beyond what he expected.
You’re a damn good man Tony, you’re a fantastic friend (3/4)
— Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) July 23, 2018
and now… an amazing angel.
RIP my man!!! (4/4) pic.twitter.com/ydHw7mS0Jq— Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) July 23, 2018
