The football community lost an important piece today with the tragic passing of longtime NFL assistant coach Greg Knapp.
Knapp, who had taken over as the New York Jets’ pass game specialist this offseason, spent the last 24 seasons as an assistant coach with seven different NFL franchises. He passed away today at the age of 58 after being critically injured when he was struck by a car while riding his bicycle last Saturday.
“Today at 11:32 am PST, Greg Knapp (aka Knapper) was called back home to Heaven,” Knapp’s agent Jeff Sperbeck said in a statement earlier today.
During his well-traveled career, Knapp had the opportunity to work with a number of outstanding quarterbacks, including Peyton Manning, Matt Ryan, Michael Vick, Steve Young and Jeff Garcia. He left a massive mark across the league.
After news of Knapp’s death was announced, tributes poured in from around the NFL, from players, coaches and media members alike.
Damn man 😪 RIP Coach Knapp I promise ima do all the things we talked about!
— Trending Topic 🤫 (@BigTicket73) July 22, 2021
Knapper man this one really hurts 💔
— Cj Anderson (@cjandersonb22) July 22, 2021
damn. rip knapp. great dude. horrible. 🙏🏾 https://t.co/uAbnEHMg51
— feeno (@ArianFoster) July 23, 2021
Rest In Peace Knapper Great Dude. Wish I Got The Chance To Get On The Golf Course With You. Sending My Condolences To His Family And Friends 😢🙏🏾
— Todd Gurley II (@TG3II) July 22, 2021
There are so many things I can say about Greg Knapp. This interaction with him is my favorite. pic.twitter.com/tB3MH5nLzP
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) July 23, 2021
A great man….RIP. pic.twitter.com/mk9dKQ3TrN
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 22, 2021
Greg Knapp was everything that was amazing about asst coaches in the NFL—investment. He invested is me and so many others with a joy that was so rare. Devastating news for his family. My prayers of comfort are with his family.🙏🙏🙏
— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) July 22, 2021
RIP Greg Knapp.
We always say, “What a nice guy.” In 37 yrs covering the NFL, I have Knapp in top 10 of both nice guys and QB coaches.
When Texans GM Rick Smith asked Brock Osweiler what he could do to get him back to pre-Houston form after yr 1, Osweiler said, “Hire Greg Knapp.”— Peter King (@peter_king) July 23, 2021
just terrible man. was a really solid dude. rest in peace https://t.co/PT5jsc9EKC
— charles (crying online) mcdonald (@FourVerts) July 22, 2021
The death of Greg Knapp is just unbelievably sad. Hard to grasp. As a former avid biker myself that used to go out on long rides daily, it just hits home in so many ways that makes your heart break for his loved ones. Just awful.
— Louis Riddick (@LRiddickESPN) July 22, 2021
Sorry to hear about Greg Knapp’s passing. He developed some of the games great quarterbacks — a tribute to him as a coach. My thoughts and prayers to his mother, wife and daughters. Gone way too soon. The league has lost a good man.
— Ron Rivera (@RiverboatRonHC) July 23, 2021
We can’t fathom what Knapp’s friends and family are going through right now. Our thoughts and prayers are with them during this time.
Rest in peace, Coach.
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