Tony Sparano passes away unexpectedly at the age of 56

Minnesota Vikings offensive line coach ​Tony Scarano passed away unexpectedly on Sunday morning, at the age of 56. Sparano began his football coaching career in the NCAA, and then later moved on to hold several assistant coaching positions at a handful of teams in the NFL - everything from tight ends coach, to offensive coordinator to head coach. 

A number of people shared condolences and memories on Twitter (including one where he wore his sunglasses inside all the time, which I fully support):

You will truly be missed by your loved ones, the guys you coached and the ones you’ve impacted over the years coach Sparano. Calm, cool and always wearing your shades no matter how dark the room was. Thank you for caring about the us as individuals and not just athletes □□.

— Teddy Bridgewater (@teddyb_h2o) July 22, 2018

RIP to a great man who gave me an opportunity in National Football League and BELIEVED in me from day 1! Many great memories playing for Tony Sparano for 4 years! You’ll be missed! Rest easy Coach! #riptonysparano

— Kendall Langford (@KendallLangford) July 22, 2018

At the risk of minimizing any of the other great coaches and people in the NFL, I don’t think I’ve ever met someone who cared more about his players — truly cared about their well being — than Tony Sparano.

He was loyal. And passionate. And genuine. I’m so sad for his family.

— Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington) July 22, 2018

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

RIP Tony Sparano, the only NFL head coach in NFL history to lead a team to the playoffs the year following a one-win season. His 2008 Dolphins won the AFC East, the only season in the last 15 years that the Patriots didn’t finish 1st place.

— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) July 22, 2018

My last interview at minicamp was with Tony Sparano. His gruff, no-nonsense exterior made him who he was, but behind that he was one of the nicest most gracious people I've had the privilege to interview. A real shock to the system. The NFL lost a good one.

— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) July 22, 2018

buzz-worthy:

• This may not fit your narrative, but training camp is doing Baltimore Ravens starting QB Joe Flacco good. After missing last year's camp after a back injury, Flacco is looking like his old self again, while flashing some new things according to offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg (I still can't spell his name without looking at it): “It looks like he’s moving and grooving better than he has in several years and I suppose that’s because he’s healthy. So he looks pretty good that way. Two years ago it was the knee and then the back and all these things. He really looks good.”
• In completely unsurprising news, Tennessee Titans (whatever position he plays) Michael Campanaro is hurt again and is starting training camp on the Non-Football Injury list. So I'm just going to assume he got hurt tying his shoes or something.
• Chicago Bears QB Mitchell Trubisky is going ghost on social media to focus on the upcoming season. This is just like the time when he changed his name from Mitch to Mitchell, so no one would call him 'Mitch the Bitch.'
• Awkward moment for all of those MAGA-ers who continuously ask, "Why don't they do anything other than kneel?" Tampa Bay Bucs WR Mike Evans donated $11K to the family of 30-year old Gregory Hill, who was shot by a police officer over a complaint about loud music. So yes, that is why they kneel - and also do things like this.
• Jacksonville Jaguars DE Dante Fowler will sit out the first game of the season after violating the NFL's personal conduct policy. What did he do, you ask? It includes throwing someone's groceries in a lake.
• Pittsburgh Steelers LB TJ Watt probably pisses so much. Watt's offseason diet included 8,000 calories and two gallons of water a day to prepare for his second season. That's a lot of peeing - like having to get up in the middle of the night peeing.
• New England Patriots QB Tom Brady is planning to show up early for training camp BECAUSE OF COURSE HE IS. On the count of three everyone roll your eyes.... 1.....2......3.
• Philadelphia Eagles C Jason Kelce will be playing the saxophone with the Philadelphia Orchestra on Tuesday. The event is to benefit the Eagles Autism Challenge.
• I'm SO tired of national anthem bullshit, but this one is kind of important. New York Giants co-owner Steve Tisch says the team will not be punishing any players for protesting the anthem. He also mentioned (wow!) that he "supports our players." 
• CB Darrelle Revis  announced his retirement last week, and he will sign a one-day contract with the New York Jets, allowing him to retire a Jet and be the best player on the roster for a day.

What I'm reading today:

• Panthers' Thomas Davis approaches training camp as if it were his last (Charlotte Observer)
• No longer burdened by self-doubt and insecurity, Alex Smith has found a sense of inner peace in Washington (Washington Post)
• Concussions, elbow injury pushed ex-Cowboys DE Jeremy Mincey to pursue music (Star-Telegram)
• Sean McVay's dad didn't have faith that he'd get an NFL job so soon (Pro Football Talk)
• Former Chiefs Tony Richardson and Donnie Edwards to visit US Service Members in Japan (Chiefs.com)

last word:

Baby: "m...m..m..."

Mother: "Go on! Say it! Say mama!"

Baby: "m...my pleasure" https://t.co/Z09Cgap99n

— Chidden Nuddet (@Sir_Hurizzel) July 20, 2018