Tony Sparano passed away unexpectedly on Sunday. USATSI Vikings offensive line coach Tony Sparano died of natural causes brought on by arteriosclerotic heart disease, the Hennepin County Medical Examiner announced on Monday. The 56-year-old passed away unexpectedly on Sunday morning, just two days before Vikings rookies were set to report to training camp. According to ESPN.com, an unconscious Sparano was discovered by his wife at their home in Eden Prairie on Sunday as the family was getting prepared to leave for church. Sparano's official time of death was 8:54 a.m. The tragic loss came just days after Sparano had complained of chest pains. The long-time NFL coach was taken to the hospital on Thursday, but then was released on Friday after undergoing a battery of tests. Vikings coach Mike Zimmer and general manager Rick Spielman were both at a loss for words after getting the news of Sparano's death. "I love Tony Sparano," Zimmer said in a statement on Sunday. "He was a great teacher, a grinder of a worker and had a toughness and fighting spirit that showed in our linemen. He was a great husband, father and grandfather and a great friend to me. This is just sinking in for us but Tony will be sorely missed by all." Spielman said the Vikings will support Sparano's family in any way they can. "I am at a loss for words with Tony's sudden passing," Spielman said. "Tony loved the game of football and his players. More importantly, he was a strong man of faith who treasured his family. My heart is with the Sparanos today. As an organization we will support them in whatever ways we can." The Vikings will be taking some time off this week so that everyone in the organization can attend Sparano's memorial service. The service is set for Friday and that team has already announced that practice will be canceled that day. The 2018 season would have marked Sparano's 20th year as an NFL coach or assistant coach. Sparano's career started in 1999 when he was hired as an offensive quality control coach for the Browns. From there, Sparano held multiple jobs, including a memorable stint as the Dolphins' head coach from 2008-11. Since 2003, Sparano is the only coach other than Bill Belichick to have won an AFC East title. In his first year with the Dolphins, Sparano implemented the Wildcat on offense and went on to shock the NFL by leading the Dolphins to an 11-5 record and a division title. It was a huge turn around for a team that had gone 1-15 just one year earlier. Sparano is survived by his wife, Jeanette, three children -- sons, Tony and Andrew, his daughter, Ryan Leigh -- and four grandchildren.<doc-sep>The Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s office said Tuesday that Minnesota Vikings offensive line coach Tony Sparano died of natural causes from arteriosclerotic heart disease. Arteriosclerotic heart disease is the thickening and hardening of the wall covering the coronary arteries. Sparano went to the hospital with chest pains on Thursday night and was released on Friday. He died at the age of 56 at 8:54 a.m. on Sunday in Eden Prairie. Sad stuff all around, obviously. Sparano did the right thing by being proactive about his chest pain, but perhaps it was too late. Sparano had been with the Vikings since 2016. He had coached in the NFL since 1999, when he got his start with the Cleveland Browns.<doc-sep>Over the weekend, the Minnesota Vikings experienced the tragic loss of offensive line coach Tony Sparano. The veteran NFL coach passed away early Sunday morning at age 56. Over the weekend, ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reported that Sparano had gone to the hospital last Thursday complaining of chest pains. He was released on Friday. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Sparano’s wife found him unresponsive Sunday morning. According to the Hennepin County medical examiner, via ESPN, Sparano died of arteriosclerotic heart disease. According to the Hennepin County Medical Examiner, Minnesota OL coach Tony Sparano died Sunday from arteriosclerotic heart disease.https://t.co/yHB1N1Ec62 — Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 24, 2018 Sparano worked in the NFL for more than 20 years after a five-year stint as the head football coach at New Haven. He was the head coach of the Miami Dolphins from 2008-11 and the interim head coach of the Oakland Raiders in 2014. His death led to a series of moving tributes from former players. I am forever grateful to have had Tony Sparano in my life. He believed in hard work, honesty, & the power of people working together for a common purpose & goal. Reading the words of his players & my teammates confirms the impact Coach had on all of us. We love you Coach! — Chad Pennington (@ChadPennington) July 23, 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 Sparano’s death is an absolute tragedy. The Vikings somehow have to open training camp with their rookies on Tuesday after this happened as well.<doc-sep>Jeff Haynes/Associated Press The Minnesota Vikings announced that offensive line coach Tony Sparano died unexpectedly early Sunday morning. He was 56. The team's owners, Mark and Zygi Wilf, released the following statement: “Our hearts go out to Jeanette and the entire Sparano family as we all mourn the loss of Tony. Tony was a passionate and driven individual who cared deeply about his family, and especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren. Tony's presence within the Vikings organization will be deeply missed. We are only thinking of Tony’s family during this incredibly difficult time. We ask that the entire NFL and Vikings family keep the Sparanos in their thoughts." Chris Mortensen of ESPN (via Adam Schefter) reported that Sparano "complained about chest pains" and went to the hospital Thursday but was released Friday after testing. Mortensen (via Schefter) added Sparano was about to leave for church when he was found unconscious and could not be revived. A number of NFL players also expressed their condolences: A cause of death remains unknown. Sparano began his NFL coaching career in 1999 with the Cleveland Browns as a quality control coach and offensive line coach before stints as a tight ends coach for Washington (2001) and the Jacksonville Jaguars (2002). He then spent five seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, serving multiple roles, before the Miami Dolphins hired him as a head coach in 2008. Sparano spent four seasons as Miami's head coach, going 29-32 and leading the team to a playoff appearance. His time in Miami is perhaps most famous for the wildcat formation that Miami utilized to catch teams off guard, with running backs taking a direct snap from center, starting a fad around the league. In 2012, he served as the offensive coordinator for the New York Jets before spending two seasons with the Oakland Raiders, which included a 12-game stint as the team's interim coach in 2014. From there, he returned to his roots as a tight ends coach in San Francisco for a season before being hired by Minnesota to coach the offensive line in 2016.<doc-sep>
Tony Sparano passed away suddenly on Sunday morning at the age of 56 and now we know what apparently caused the Minnesota Vikings' offensive line coach and long-time NFL assistant's death. The Hennepin County Medical Examiner's office released the report on Monday, stating that Sparano died at his home of natural causes stemming from arteriosclerotic heart disease at 8:54 a.m. CT Sunday after medical attention was called for at 8:07 a.m. CT. According to the Mayo Clinic, "Arteriosclerosis occurs when the blood vessels that carry oxygen and nutrients from your heart to the rest of your body (arteries) become thick and stiff — sometimes restricting blood flow to your organs and tissues. Healthy arteries are flexible and elastic, but over time, the walls in your arteries can harden, a condition commonly called hardening of the arteries." ESPN's Chris Mortensen first reported on Sunday through Adam Schefter that Sparano complained to his family about chest pains and was hospitalized on Thursday, tests were run and he was discharged on Friday. He and his wife, Jeannette, were preparing to go to church on Sunday morning when she found him unconscious in the kitchen and he was unable to be revived. The Vikings are scheduled to open camp this week with rookies reporting on July 24 and veterans joining on July 27 before the first full-team practice on July 28. No word yet has been given on if Sparano's death will affect the start of camp or who could possibly step into his role for this upcoming season. (The roster is all but set and the Vikings now prepare for a run to the Super Bowl --Don't miss out on the action. Sign up for our FREE newsletter today!) Sparano coached a group in 2016 that was considered one of the worst offensive lines in the league, but the unit took huge steps forward in 2017 under his mentorship and helped lead the team to a berth in the NFC Championship game. He had held his post with the team since the 2016 season and had been in the league as an assistant since the 1999 season. His stops included the Cleveland Browns, Washington Redskins, Jacksonville Jaguars, Dallas Cowboys, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, Oakland Raiders, San Francisco 49ers and the Vikings. He was the head coach of the Dolphins from 2008-11 and interim head coach of the Raiders in 2014. Assistants that have worked under Sparano that have gone on to get head coaching jobs include Paul Pasqualoni at the University of Connecticut (now defensive coordinator of the Detroit Lions, John Bonamego at Central Michigan University and Todd Bowles of the New York Jets. Sparano got his start in coaching at his college alma mater, which was Division II New Haven. He also spent time at Boston University. He is survived by his wife, Jeanette, two sons, Tony and Andrew, daughter Ryan Leigh and four grandchildren.