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In light of the devastating news of the passing of Minnesota Vikings’ Offensive Line Coach Tony Sparano on Sunday, players, coaches, and other NFL types have taken to social media to express their condolences.
We’ve collected some of them here. We will be adding to these throughout the course of the day. Newer tweets will be down at the bottom of the post.
Joe Berger, whose relationship with Tony Sparano dated back to Miami and Dallas, said he was planning to thank Sparano in person, while visiting Vikings camp after a RV trip to Colorado. "Tony always had my back," Berger said. "He was the reason I was able to make it 13 years."
— Ben Goessling (@GoesslingStrib) 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
One of the biggest things that stood out to me w/ Vikings 2018 offense is the level of respect b/w Tony Sparano & John DeFilippo. I talked with Sparano, who coached w/ JDF in Oakland, about the seamless transition that took place in large part b/c of their understanding of e/o. pic.twitter.com/yq7mQj45SV
— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) July 22, 2018
Aw man. Rest In Peace, Coach Sparano. Terrible news.
— Johnny Stanton (@johnnystantoniv) 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
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
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
Tony Sparano wasn't afraid to laugh at himself. Favorite story involved him getting the "big baller" fine in the O-line room for referring to a gated community. "If there's a target in the room, it's probably me." https://t.co/ufOu7b4xeZ
— Andrew Krammer (@Andrew_Krammer) 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
Prayers for the Sparano family upon hearing of the loss Coach Sparano. Spent the 2017 training camp with him and the @Vikings Learned a lot from him in such a short period of time....RIP. #OLinePride #OLine pic.twitter.com/8GRCc2TfN8
— Kevin Mawae (@KevinMawae) July 22, 2018
— Cornelius Edison (@cedison_) 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
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
I feel for his family. Still had so much life left to live. No one can EVER prepare for this no matter what you say. Sympathy goes out for his family & it may take days, weeks, or months but only time will heal w/ the help of God. #StayStrong #RIPCoach https://t.co/41Z2mmD7oD
— Ron Johnson (@3RonJohnson) 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
I am in disbelief - condolences to his wife Jeanette and three children. https://t.co/h6XczHiAuT
— Troy Aikman (@TroyAikman) 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
Damn man sad day ...RIP Coach Sparano .Prayers up for the entire Sparano family
— Erik Walden (@E_Ninety3) July 22, 2018
Ravens OC Marty Mornhinweg finished his presser, stepped away and then returned seconds later. He just heard of the passing of Tony Sparano and offered his best wishes and thoughts to Tony Sparano's family.
— Baltimore Beatdown (@BMoreBeatdown) July 22, 2018
RIP Coach Sparano
— Khalil Mack (@52Mack_) July 22, 2018
RIP Coach https://t.co/xVJ6s9NZ3p
— Charles Woodson (@CharlesWoodson) 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
You could tell Coach Sparano had true love and passion for the game. My thoughts and prayers are with the Sparano family. https://t.co/y1I8LZrKAA
— Tavarres King (@Tkunodos) July 22, 2018
Rest In Peace coach. https://t.co/B0GWSOXvy1
— LEEL. (@leellxvii) July 22, 2018
Life is so fragile, still in shock. Thoughts and prayers with the Sparano family! You’ll be dearly missed Coach! https://t.co/ukEDxTvNyZ
— Josiah Price (@JosiahMSUPrice) July 22, 2018
Rest In Peace Coach. Prayers for the Sparano family. https://t.co/vbOCO5ZBjT
— Kevin McDermott (@KMcD47) July 22, 2018
Thoughts and prayers for the Sparano family. You will be deeply missed coach https://t.co/rUwamf4ue1
— CJ Ham (@cjham28) July 22, 2018
Beyond shocked to hear the news of Tony Sparano passing away. Heartfelt thoughts to him and his family & friends. #Vikings
— Ben Leber (@nacholeber) July 22, 2018
One of best coaches I’ve had the opportunity to play for. Thankful for all I’ve learned from him, Thank you for impacting my NFL journey in the best way possible. Prayers to his family https://t.co/fRieVdWT41
— Storm Norton (@stormnorton74) July 22, 2018
Man... I’m in total shock. RIP Tony Sparano. Hell of a coach and person. Had so much love for the game and the people around him. He will be truly missed by many people.
— Brandon Fusco (@BrandonFusco) July 22, 2018
Coach Sparano helped me grow so much as a player, and as a man. I still can’t really wrap my head around that he is gone. Thanks for all your help coach! My thoughts and prayers are with your family. RIP Coach. https://t.co/uPIbQIi3FE
— Jeremiah Sirles (@Sirles71_HSKR) July 22, 2018
RIP coach Tony
— Xavier Rhodes (@XavierRhodes29_) July 22, 2018
Coach sparano, I’m gonna miss you starting off the meetings every morning. I’ll never forget you. Thank you for the passion and energy you brought to work every day. Prayers and blessings to the sparano family. Rest In Peace pic.twitter.com/uXqzRrK7xK
— Cayleb S Jones (@CaylebJones) 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
— Jake Long (@JakeLong77) July 22, 2018
So sad to read / May he RIP NFL coach Tony Sparano dies, was offensive line assistant with Minnesota Vikings https://t.co/NzKK1jVApm via @USATODAY
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) July 22, 2018
So sorry to hear the terrible news on Tony Sparano. He was never my coach, but much respect professionally and personally. #skol #vikingsfamily
— Todd Steussie (@toddsteussie) 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
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
My thoughts and prayers go out to the Sparano family. One of the most energetic and motivational coaches that I’ve ever played for. He will truly be missed! #prayers
— Ronnie Brown (@ronnie23brown) 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
Vikings offensive line coach Tony Sparano dies at 56. Sad news! Very well respected coach in the league.
— Keith Millard (@keithjmillard75) July 22, 2018
R.I.P coach Tony Sparano!!
— Rodney Adams (@rodney_adams87) 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
— DIGGS (@stefondiggs) July 22, 2018
I was honored to battle with you. My heart is unbelievably broken for you family, because I know how close you all were. I’m gonna miss those text messages: but you made a lasting impression on all those who grew to know you. Much luv coach Spo pic.twitter.com/h27pFPtAKo
— Marcel Reece (@CelReece45) July 22, 2018
Couldn’t have said it any better !! Going to miss you Coach Sparano https://t.co/5sixUzXBVK
— Jerick Mckinnon (@JetMckinnon1) July 22, 2018
A Good man Gone too soon, RIP Coach Sparano pic.twitter.com/vCQwqqzQkl
— Dieugot Joseph (@DieugotJoseph) July 23, 2018
A coach who truly loved the game, who not only tested us to be the best players we could be, but the best men. Thank you for every think Coach Sparano, you will be missed.
— David Morgan (@DMORG_82) July 23, 2018