mollyfamwatAs members of the New York Jets’ staff, coaches are often at the center of the team’s community efforts. They’re usually the ones to oversee the locker room and talk to the media, but they’re also usually the ones at the front lines helping their players prepare for games. So, it’s a total shock to the community of Atlanta when Jets’ assistant coach Greg Knapp is killed in an accident while riding his bike. He was involved in a collision with a car and suffered serious injuries on February 5.
: Greg Knapp, a former head coach, offensive coordinator in Atlanta and the current Jets assistant head coach, died Saturday at age 51 after being hit by a car while biking. Knapp’s injuries were so severe that he was on life support before he died.
Greg Knapp, the Jets offensive coordinator, was struck by a car while riding his bike on Central Avenue in Atlanta Tuesday night. He was taken to a hospital in critical condition, and later died.
Greg Knapp, a well-traveled NFL coach who worked with Pro Football Hall of Famer Steve Young and soon-to-be-inducted Peyton Manning during his 25-year career, died Thursday from injuries sustained while bicycling Saturday in San Ramon, California. He was 58 years old at the time.
Knapp, who is renowned for his quarterback knowledge, was only days away from traveling to New Jersey to start his debut season as the Jets’ passing-game specialist under new coach Robert Saleh. On Tuesday, the Jets’ rookies reported to training camp.
In a message shared on Twitter, Saleh stated, “Greg had such an inner calm about him that people always seemed to draw towards.” “He led a loving life that allowed him to interact with individuals from all walks of life in a special manner.”
“I think the individuals in our organization had the opportunity to experience that connection during his brief stay here. Greg, thank you for all you’ve given us; you’ll be missed, brother.”
Greg Knapp, who spent his 25-year coaching career with great quarterbacks Steve Young and Peyton Manning and established himself as one of the league’s best offensive-minded coaches, died Thursday at the age of 58. Kirby Lee is a sports reporter for USA TODAY.
Knapp established “real relationships with all of our coaches, players, and staff” after being hired in January, according to Saleh, who characterized him as having “a joyful personality, friendly temperament, and (a) lot of knowledge.”
Knapp, an enthusiastic biker, was struck by a single vehicle at around 2:49 p.m., not far from his Danville home, according to San Ramon police. According to police, the driver of the car, whose identity has been withheld, was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol and is helping with the inquiry.
In a statement, the family stated, “Those of us who were so fortunate to have met him know that he would have wanted even this moment to be an instructive one.” “So here it is…’Live each day as if it were your last, and love those around you as if it were your last!’
Knapp died at 2:32 p.m. ET, five days after being hit, according to his family. He was never able to recover consciousness.
When he died, he was surrounded by his mother, wife, three children, and brother.
“Most people’s first and enduring impression of Greg is his contagious personality,” the family stated. “Knapper’s enthusiasm for life is summed up by the statement ‘He never met a stranger.’ He had a particular ability to make everyone feel important, and they all did to Knapper.
“While his family, friends, and teammates still had a lot to learn from him and hoped they could spend more time with him, God called an audible and wanted to go over the game plan with him personally.” It will undoubtedly be a work of art, just like Greg!”
Knapp started his NFL coaching career in 1997 with the San Francisco 49ers as a low-level offensive assistant. Young and he formed a strong connection, and the two stayed close. Knapp has previously worked as a quarterbacks coach or offensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons (two stints), Oakland Raiders (two stints), Seattle Seahawks, Houston Texans, and Denver Broncos.
“He was a great football coach who succeeded at the top levels of our game,” Falcons owner Arthur Blank said in a statement on Twitter. “But more significantly, he was a beautiful person who had the love, admiration, and respect of all who were fortunate to work with him.” “Greg Knapp, may you rest in peace.”
On social media, Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan praised Knapp, calling him “one of the most positive, consistent, and compassionate coaches I have ever been around.”
Woody Johnson, the Jets’ chairman, also released a statement on Knapp’s death.
The statement says, “In his brief time with us, Greg made an instant impact on those who had the pleasure of spending even the tiniest bit of time with him.” “Not only has he worked with some of the best quarterbacks the NFL has ever seen, but he has had an indelible positive impact on many others across the globe.”
Knapp has worked with quarterbacks Michael Vick, Carson Palmer, and Matt Ryan, in addition to Manning and Young. His professional peak came in 2015, when he was a part of the Broncos’ Super Bowl-winning coaching staff in Manning’s last season.
Knapp was recruited by the Jets to oversee their three young quarterbacks. Last month at minicamp, he described his role as “the voice in the quarterback room,” which included highly regarded youngster Zach Wilson.
Coaching three novice quarterbacks was an intriguing task for Knapp, who noted his love for teaching. He claimed he learned it from his parents, who are both teachers.
“For me, it’s energizing,” Knapp added.
Knapp was well-liked across the league. Wilson’s presence on the Jets’ staff was a “big positive” for Wilson, according to Young, who served as an unofficial advisor to Wilson and his family throughout the pre-draft process.
“I told Greg’s father, Mike Wilson, that if I had a kid and wanted him to be taught and cared for in a manner that helped him play better football, I’d want Greg to be a part of it,” Young said.
Knapp, who was born in Long Beach, California, attended Sacramento State University. He never played in an NFL game, although he did spend time on the rosters of the Oakland Raiders, San Francisco 49ers, and Kansas City Chiefs.
This article was written with the help of the Associated Press.
Greg Knapp, a former head coach who was an assistant coach for the Atlanta Falcons for five seasons, was hit by a car while riding his bike in Atlanta, Georgia on Thursday morning. Mr. Knapp was transported to a nearby hospital where he died from his injuries. “Greg was a great person,” Falcons coach Dan Quinn said. “He was a friend of mine, he was a great coach, he was a great man. He was a wonderful man. He was a family person. He was a mentor to a lot of us. He was just a tremendous person.”. Read more about greg knapp cause of death and let us know what you think.
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