Earlier this summer, the Minnesota Vikings lost a beloved member of their team when offensive line coach Tony Sparano passed away.
On Saturday ahead of their second preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, the team honored Sparano with a tremendous ceremony that began with a moment of silence.
Holding a moment of silence in memory of Tony Sparano followed by a tribute video. #Vikings pic.twitter.com/RZe4qiX2K9
— zachmaron (@zach_maron) August 18, 2018
This season, we're doing it for Tony. pic.twitter.com/IUj8FAKJiC
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) August 18, 2018
Before the ceremony, the Vikings presented a painting to the Sparano family, which was in attendance for Saturday’s game.
The #Vikings presented the Sparano family a painting prior to today’s game. pic.twitter.com/1EwOOvI0r7
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) August 18, 2018
The Vikings are going to pay tribute to Tony Sparano Sr. before the game. His son, Tony Jr. is the asst. Offensive line coach for the Jaguars, here with his family. @wjxt4 pic.twitter.com/pehdKRcrc0
— Cole Pepper (@ColePepper) August 18, 2018
Until his untimely passing, Sparano was one of the most beloved coaches in the league.
He began his career as an Offensive quality control coach with the Cleveland Browns back in 1999, spent seasons with the Washington Redskins, Dallas Cowboys, Jacksonville Jaguars, Miami Dolphins (where he became a head coach from 2008-11), New York Jets, Oakland Raiders and San Francisco 49ers before signing with Minnesota in 2016.
Sparano is survived by his wive, Jeanette, his sons Anthony Michael (an assistant with the Jaguars) and Andrew (an offensive line coach at Chabot College), and daughter Ryan Leigh. May he Rest In Peace.