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The NFL world has been hit with sad news upon finding out of the passing of Vikings offensive line coach Tony Sparano at just 56 years old. Sparano spent two decades in NFL coaching capacity–amassing a 32-41 record as head coach for the Dolphins and Raiders.
Sparano was discovered unconscious at his home on Sunday morning, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter:
Sparano complained about chest pains this weekend and went to hospital Thursday. Doctors did tests, but released him Friday.
Sparano and his wife, Jeannette, were about to leave for church this morning when she found him unconscious in their kitchen. She tried CPR, but he could not be revived. He was 56.
Sparano is survived by his wife, Jeanette, his two sons and four grandchildren.
Players, analysts, and organizations took to Twitter to pay their respects to a coach who was universally liked by everyone within the sport.
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
With deep regret the Minnesota Vikings announce that Offensive Line Coach Tony Sparano unexpectedly passed away early this morning.https://t.co/AEjLksRoUp pic.twitter.com/sCJtnEvCVA
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) July 22, 2018
https://twitter.com/ochocinco/status/1021080576126857218
https://twitter.com/JeffDarlington/status/1021102037088468992′
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
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
RIP Tony Sparano. I’ve covered the game for 34 years, and he’s as genuine a person as I’ve ever met in the NFL.
Condolences to his family.— Peter King (@peter_king) July 22, 2018
RIP Coach Sparano 🙏🏿
— Khalil Mack (@FiftyDeuce) 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 https://t.co/xVJ6s9NZ3p
— Charles Woodson (@CharlesWoodson) July 22, 2018
— Jake Long (@JakeLong77) 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
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
A touching story passed along to me by longtime Dolphins fan @NessMugrabi about former Dolphins head coach Tony Sparano, who passed away today. pic.twitter.com/12qq3Lj4cf
— Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington) July 22, 2018
R.I.P. to Mr. Sparano.