It was news that sent shockwaves throughout the entire Minnesota Vikings franchise. Something that absolutely no one saw coming as the team was preparing for a potential run at the Super Bowl in 2018.
On the morning of Sunday, July 22, Vikings offensive line coach Tony Sparano was found unconscious in the kitchen of his Minnesota home. Sparano was later pronounced dead at the age of 56.
Just like that, the Vikings had not only lost their offensive line coach, but a mentor and a friend as well.
Three days later, as the team was arriving for training camp, Minnesota head coach Mike Zimmer had to answer questions about his friend and co-worker who first teamed up together on the coaching staff of the Dallas Cowboys in 2003.