Vikings assistant Tony Sparano, former NFL head coach, dies at age 56

Only two days before recruits report to the Minnesota Vikings training camp, Tony Sparano, a long-time player in the NFL ranks and coach of the Vikings, has died suddenly at the age of 56. The team announced Sunday afternoon

"Our thoughts go to Jeanette [his wife] and to the whole Sparano family while we all mourn the loss of Tony," said Vikings owners Mark and Zygi Wilf . team. "Tony was a pbadionate and motivated man who cared deeply about his family, and especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, Tony's presence in the Vikings organization will be sorely missed. Tony's family during this incredibly difficult time.We are asking the entire NFL and Vikings family to keep the Sparanos in their thoughts. "

According to the Star-Tribune, emergency personnel were summoned shortly after 8 am Sunday Center with audio recordings stating that a woman was performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation at Sparano House in Eden Prairie, Minn. Sparano, reports Chris Mortensen of ESPN, who went to the hospital to complain about chest pains on Thursday and was released Friday after pbading tests. His wife, according to Mortensen, found him in the kitchen while they were about to leave for the church.

"I love Tony Sparano.He was a great teacher, a grinder of a worker and had a tenacity and a fighting spirit that showed in our linemen," Coach Mike Zimmer said in a statement . "He was a great husband, father and grandfather, and a great friend to me, it just goes downhill for us, but Tony will be missed."

Sparano coached in various positions for nine teams during 19-year-old NFL.He was head coach of the Dolphins from 2008 to 2011, leading the Dolphins in the AFC East in 2008. He was 32 years old and 41 years old as a head coach and was acting head coach of Oakland in 2014. In addition, he worked for Browns, Redskins, Jaguars, Cowboys, 49ers and New York Jets.

During his time with the Redskins in 2001, he helped develop offensive lineman Ross Tucker, who tweeted on Sparano Sunday:

"I can not really believe the news", quarterback Vikings Kyle Sloter tweeted "An excellent coach and even a better person. My condolences go to the Sparano family. I think I speak for everyone when I say that this season is for you! "

" Sparano Family, I'm sorry for your loss ", Raiders quarterback Derek Carr tweeted ." The coach believed in me, trusted me and followed me as a rookie . He checked in my family all the meetings [head coach and quarterback] we would have! It was a big man! I like you coach! "

Sparano was easy to spot in his ubiquitous sunglbades, consequence of an explosion of hot oil that nearly took him by sight 40 years ago while he was working in a 19659014] "You can see that there is still a scar on my face," Sparano told the Star Tribune in 2016. "I had a patch on my left eye. for 22 days, a patch on the right eye for 14. The left eye never go straight.The cornea is burned and sensitive to the sun, it is sensitive to light.

"I always hear people say," Why does he have these sunglbades during a night game? "Or," Why is he wearing them? It's this kind of bright light that makes my eyes start running, tearing and crying.

"So that's the story. Inside or out, if the lights are on, the sunglbades are on.

In addition to his wife, Sparano is survived by his sons, Tony and Andrew; his daughter, Ryan Leigh;

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