Around the NFL

NFL mourns death of longtime coach Tony Sparano

Published: Jul 22, 2018 at 06:43 AM

Minnesota Vikings offensive line coach and former Miami Dolphins head coach Tony Sparano died unexpectedly Sunday, the team announced. He was 56.

Current and former NFL players offered their condolences over the passing of the longtime coach.

Statement from Vikings Owners Mark and Zygi Wilf on the sudden passing of Tony Sparano. pic.twitter.com/uMgcw1m0en
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) July 22, 2018

Coach Zimmer on the passing of Tony Sparano pic.twitter.com/YPG2biZPEG
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) July 22, 2018

GM Rick Spielman on the passing of Tony Sparano pic.twitter.com/k34tz4SqvF
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) July 22, 2018

The Raiders family was deeply saddened to learn of Tony Sparano's passing this morning.

Statement: https://t.co/i1lSb7MSaB #OnceARaiderAlwaysARaider pic.twitter.com/MbcHepNUhY
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) July 22, 2018

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Coach Tony Sparano. pic.twitter.com/UVxieE1Q6U
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) July 22, 2018

Statement from @SeanPayton on the passing of Tony Sparano: pic.twitter.com/7pbeB31soS
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) July 22, 2018

Coach Pat Shurmur shares his thoughts on the passing of Tony Sparano. pic.twitter.com/6BXPdQcaxv
— New York Giants (@Giants) July 22, 2018

Statement from the #Jaguars on the passing of Tony Sparano: pic.twitter.com/rQgE4ujGo2
— #DUUUVAL (@Jaguars) July 22, 2018

Our deepest condolences are with Coach Sparano’s family and the entire Vikings organization. https://t.co/vsd2Rb7ij0
— New York Jets (@nyjets) July 22, 2018

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Sparano family and the entire Minnesota Vikings organization at this time. Condolences to all.
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) July 22, 2018

Statement from Anthony Lynn on the passing of Tony Sparano: pic.twitter.com/kxLif2B0K4
— Los Angeles Chargers (@Chargers) July 22, 2018

Sending our thoughts and condolences to the Sparano family and @Vikings organization. https://t.co/Jl5XPgBZPX
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) July 22, 2018

The 49ers organization is deeply saddened by the passing of Coach Sparano. Sharing heartfelt condolences with the Sparano family and the Minnesota Vikings. Rest in peace, Coach. https://t.co/XFoAZsFT77
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) July 22, 2018

The Washington Redskins send their deepest condolences to the Sparano family and the entire Vikings organization. Rest in peace, Coach. https://t.co/Vtmm2ZpZZl
— Washington Redskins (@Redskins) July 22, 2018

Thoughts and prayers to Mrs. Sparano, his family and everyone in the @Vikings organization.. life’s precious and we just never know when it’s our time.. RIP Coach.. https://t.co/vOzlSoUTlq
— Kyle Rudolph (@KyleRudolph82) July 22, 2018

You will truly be missed by your loved ones, the guys you coached and the ones you’ve impacted over the years coach Sparano. Calm, cool and always wearing your shades no matter how dark the room was. Thank you for caring about the us as individuals and not just athletes 🙏🏾.
— Teddy Bridgewater (@teddyb_h2o) July 22, 2018

I am in disbelief - condolences to his wife Jeanette and three children. https://t.co/h6XczHiAuT
— Troy Aikman (@TroyAikman) 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

Rest In Peace coach. 🙏🏾 https://t.co/B0GWSOXvy1
— Jaleel Johnson (@leellxvii) July 22, 2018

I’m lost for words. Landed to this horrible news of my Coach passing away. Coach Sparano was a Great man. I’ll never forget those pats on the cheek. 🙏🏽
— BEAST (@BMarshall) July 22, 2018

We lost a great man today in our football family. I was only around coach Tony Sparano for a year. But left a lasting impact on my life. Football meant a lot to him but family was everything. My prayers go out to his family. 😢
— Maurice Jones-Drew (@MJD) July 22, 2018

Rest In Peace Coach Sparano. I really can’t believe the news. 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!
— Kyle Sloter (@KyleSloter) July 22, 2018

Aw man. Rest In Peace, Coach Sparano. Terrible news.
— Johnny Stanton (@johnnystantoniv) July 22, 2018

🙏🏾 https://t.co/UV425Nwee0
— Cornelius Edison (@cedison_) July 22, 2018

Heart broken and lost for words! We lost a great man. Prayers to the Sparano family. So glad I got to see you and tell ya how much you meant to me a month ago. @Vikings #RIPTony
— Brian Hartline (@brianhartline) July 22, 2018

Man, when it rains it pours. Rest In Peace coach Sparano. Prayers going to your family and friends and our Viking organization. Lost 4 coaches in the past 2 months. Wishing I was able to reverse time and tell not just these people but everyone that’s import to me I appreciate you
— Tashawn Bower (@TashawnBower) July 22, 2018

Damn man sad day ...RIP Coach Sparano .Prayers up for the entire Sparano family 🙏🙏
— Erik Walden (@E_Ninety3) July 22, 2018

Damn I’m at a loss for words RIP coach Sparano taught me so much not just about football about life also one of the biggest reasons why I signed with the @RAIDERS was because of you coach thanks for everything love you coach RIP
— Donald Penn (@DPENN70) July 22, 2018

RIP Coach Sparano 🙏🏿
— Khalil Mack (@FiftyDeuce) July 22, 2018

RIP Coach https://t.co/xVJ6s9NZ3p
— Charles Woodson (@CharlesWoodson) July 22, 2018

Sporano Family I am so sorry for your loss. Coach believed in me, trusted me, and stuck with me as a rookie. He would check on my family every HC and QB meeting we would have! He was a great man! I love you coach!
— Derek Carr (@derekcarrqb) July 22, 2018

WOW! Walked out of church to this...My sincere condolences to the Sparano Family! Coach Sparano loved his family...my heart aches for them...RIP Coach #Respect https://t.co/Bu1bMdd51A
— James Jones (@89JonesNTAF) July 22, 2018

My thoughts & prayers are for Coach Sparano & his family as they are going through this tough time right now. Glad I got the opportunity to meet you coach. May you Rest In Peace 🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/pbP8bIQfgq
— Jeff Badet (@JeffBadet__) July 22, 2018

Thoughts and prayers to the sparano family. I am truly heartbroken. We lost a great man to early. https://t.co/MXt26ZTZsx
— Everson Griffen (@EversonGriffen) July 22, 2018

Prayers up for Tony Sparano, his family and loved ones
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) July 22, 2018

pic.twitter.com/tkpgKcO2LD
— Jake Long (@JakeLong77) July 22, 2018

Devastated to hear the news about Coach Sparano passing. Praying for his family through this tough time.
— Kirk Cousins (@KirkCousins8) July 22, 2018

Such heartbreaking, terrible news. So much respect for Tony. Praying for his family! https://t.co/hrB2SDPgBg
— Vontae Davis (@vontaedavis) July 22, 2018

At a lost for words regarding the news about coach Sparano. Had the honor to work with him 3 out of 5 years and I’m grateful. Many many prayers and well wishes to his family right now. I… https://t.co/Mg3nYEYLCY
— Latavius Murray (@LataviusM) July 22, 2018

RIP coach Tony
— Xavier Rhodes (@XavierRhodes29_) July 22, 2018

Rip coach Tony 🙏🏾
— DIGGS (@stefondiggs) July 22, 2018

Sending our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Coach Tony Sparano.

→ https://t.co/AD5vQdCwPv pic.twitter.com/4eEyyM4Gyg
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) July 22, 2018

pic.twitter.com/tkpgKcO2LD
— Jake Long (@JakeLong77) July 22, 2018

The memories that I have of Coach Sparano are unimaginable. The things he believed in are stuck with me. May God bless his soul.
— Seth Roberts (@SethTRoberts) July 22, 2018

So sad and shocked to hear about my friend and great coach,Tony Sparano. Genuine person who loved his players and his family. Condolences to Jeanette and family.
— Wade Phillips (@sonofbum) July 22, 2018

My thoughts are with Tony Sparanos family and the entire Vikings organization. Life is so precious. Rest in peace coach
— robert smith (@Robert26Smith) July 22, 2018

This one hurts... Thoughts n prayers are with y'all. 🙏🏽 https://t.co/uNCBsKdaHg
— Marquette King (@MarquetteKing) July 22, 2018

We are saddened to hear the passing of Coach Tony Sparano. Our thoughts are with his friends and family at this time.

Rest In Peace Coach Sparano pic.twitter.com/r5BErskh4m
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) July 22, 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

RIP ANTHONY SPARANO SR 😭
— Richie Incognito (@68INCOGNITO) July 22, 2018

I’m at a lost for words but one thing I know that Tony was a great coach and even better person nothing but love and respect!!! #cantsnowthesnowman pic.twitter.com/P8w5VfvZrD
— Andre Smith (@BigSmitty71) July 23, 2018

#RIP #TonySparano pic.twitter.com/mKEbf4Iehv
— Austin Howard (@AustinHoward68) July 23, 2018

A Good man Gone too soon, RIP Coach Sparano 🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/vCQwqqzQkl
— Dieugot Joseph (@DieugotJoseph) July 23, 2018

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

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