New York Jets assistant coach Greg Knapp dies from injuries suffered when hit by car while biking

New York Jets assistant Greg Knapp, a very well-traveled NFL mentor who labored with Pro Soccer Corridor of Famer Steve Younger and before long-to-be-inducted Peyton Manning over his twenty five-12 months career, died Thursday from injuries experienced when he was struck by a car when biking Saturday in San Ramon, California. He was fifty eight.

The affable Knapp, identified for his experience with quarterbacks, was only times absent from flying to New Jersey to start his first season as the Jets’ passing-sport professional under new mentor Robert Saleh. The Jets’ rookies described to education camp Tuesday.

“Greg had these types of an inner peace about him that persons always seemed to gravitate in the direction of,” Saleh mentioned in a assertion posted to Twitter. “He lived everyday living in a loving way that assisted him connect with persons from all walks of everyday living in a special way.

“In his short time below, I consider the persons in this business had a probability to encounter that connection. Greg, thank you for all that you have shared with us, you will be missed brother.”

Greg Knapp, who established himself as just one of the league’s top rated offensive-minded coaches and labored with star quarterbacks Steve Younger and Peyton Manning over his twenty five-12 months career, died Thursday at fifty eight. Kirby Lee-United states of america Right now Sports activities

Employed in January, Knapp made “authentic connections with all of our coaches, players and workers,” mentioned Saleh, who explained him as getting “a fun character, type disposition, and (a) prosperity of knowledge.”

An avid bicyclist, Knapp was hit by a single motorist at about two:49 p.m., not much from his household in Danville, San Ramon police mentioned. The driver of the motor vehicle, whose name is being withheld, wasn’t under the affect of medicines or alcohol and is cooperating with the ongoing investigation, in accordance to police.

“Individuals of us who were being so blessed to have identified him, know that he would have desired even this instant to be a teachable just one,” the relatives mentioned in a assertion. “So this is it…’Live every single day as if it is your last, and really like individuals around you like it will not last!’

The relatives mentioned in the assertion that Knapp died at two:32 p.m. ET, five times immediately after being struck. He hardly ever regained consciousness.

He was surrounded by his mother, spouse, a few daughters and his brother when he died.

“Greg’s infectious identity is most people’s first and long lasting memory of him,” the relatives mentioned. “The phrase ‘He hardly ever satisfied a stranger’ encapsulates Knapper’s zest for everyday living. He had a special reward to make absolutely everyone sense exclusive, and to Knapper, they all were being.

“Although his relatives, friends and players nevertheless had so substantially to find out from him and desperately wished they had extra time with him, God named an audible and desired to go over the sport system specifically with him. It will absolutely be a masterpiece, just like Greg!”

Knapp began his NFL coaching career in 1997 as a very low-stage offensive assistant for the San Francisco 49ers. He solid a restricted bond with Younger, and the two remained shut. Knapp also coached for the Atlanta Falcons (two stints), Oakland Raiders (two stints), Seattle Seahawks, Houston Texans and Denver Broncos, both as the quarterbacks mentor or the offensive coordinator.

“He was a great soccer mentor who achieved at the greatest ranges of our sport, but extra importantly he was a amazing human being who had the really like, admiration and respect of individuals who were being blessed to do the job with him,” Falcons operator Arthur Blank wrote in a assertion on Twitter. “Relaxation In Peace, Greg Knapp.”

Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan also honored Knapp on social media, calling him “just one of the most constructive, constant and caring coaches I have ever been around.”

Jets chairman Woody Johnson also issued a assertion on Knapp’s death.

“In his short time with us, Greg had an speedy affect on individuals who had the pleasure of paying the smallest quantity of time with him,” the assertion reads. “His legacy is not only working with some of the brightest quarterbacks the league has ever seen, but the many many others throughout this globe he has had an indelibly constructive affect on.”

In addition to Manning and Younger, Knapp assisted tutor quarterbacks Michael Vick, Carson Palmer and Matt Ryan. His career emphasize was the 2015 season, when he was a member of the Super Bowl-successful workers with the Broncos in Manning’s final season.

The Jets employed Knapp to preside over their a few young quarterbacks. His work, he described last month at minicamp, was to be “the voice in the quarterback room,” which contains very touted rookie Zach Wilson.

Knapp named it an thrilling problem to mentor a few inexperienced quarterbacks, noting his enthusiasm for instructing. He mentioned he received that from his mom and dad, the two of whom are instructors.

“It is really invigorating for me,” Knapp mentioned.

Knapp was very well-revered throughout the league. Younger, an unofficial adviser to Wilson and his relatives all through the pre-draft process, explained to ESPN in a recent job interview that Knapp’s presence on the Jets’ workers was a “huge moreover” for Wilson.

“I explained to his father, Mike Wilson: If I had a son and I desired him to be coached and taken treatment of in a way that allows him participate in far better soccer, I would want Greg to be section of it,” Younger mentioned.

Knapp, born in Lengthy Seaside, California, performed college ball at Sacramento Condition. He hardly ever appeared in an NFL sport, but he used time on the Raiders, 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs’ rosters.

The Associated Push contributed to this report.