New York Jets passing game specialist Greg Knapp is in critical condition after suffering "serious injuries" in a bicycle accident in California. Knapp's agent Jeff Sperbeck confirmed the news to 9News in Denver, who broke the story.
Details of the crash and the nature of Knapp's injuries are unknown at this time.
He was set to report to his first training camp as the Jets' passing game specialist, where he, along with offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur and quarterbacks coach Rob Calabrese, is tasked with developing No. 2 pick Zach Wilson. Knapp is part of a franchise reset that saw new head coach Robert Saleh hired in January.
Knapp played at Sacramento State and began coaching immediately upon graduation in 1986. He remained at Sac State through 1994, when he joined the defending Super Bowl champion San Francisco 49ers in 1995 as an offensive quality control and eventually worked his way to offensive coordinator for the 2001, '02 and '03 seasons.
From there, Knapp has coordinated offenses for the Seahawks, Raiders and Falcons and coached quarterbacks for the Texans and Broncos. He won a Super Bowl with the Broncos in 2015 as Peyton Manning's quarterbacks coach and pass game coordinator. Four Knapp-coached quarterbacks have thus far combined to make 11 Pro Bowl appearances.
Knapp, 58, has three daughters with his wife, Charlotte. The family has released this statement through the team.
Jets’ passing-game coordinator Gregg Knapp has been hospitalized in critical condition after a bicycle accident.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 20, 2021
A statement from his family: pic.twitter.com/fSt8O5imCs
As always, stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.
Update: Greg Knapp was pronounced dead just after 11:30 a.m. Pacific time on Thursday. A statement from his family follows:
Today at 11:32 am PST, Greg Knapp (aka Knapper) was called back home to Heaven, where he will be reunited with his Dad.
On Saturday, July 17th, 2021, Greg was struck by a car while riding his bicycle, and was rendered unconscious immediately. Greg never regained consciousness. He was surrounded by his mom, his wife, his 3 daughters, and his brother.
Greg spent 33 years coaching football, the first 9 at Sacramento State (where he also played QB) and the next 24 years in the NFL as an Offensive Coordinator and Quarterback Coach. He coached hundreds of players, including: Steve Young, Jeff Garcia, Rick Mirer, Matt Schaub, Michael Vick, Peyton Manning, Matt Ryan, and most recently Zach Wilson.
Those of us who were so blessed to have known him, know that he would have wanted even this moment to be a teachable one. So this is it..."Live every day as if it's your last, and love those around you like it won't last!"
Greg's infectious personality is most people's first and lasting memory of him. The phrase "He never met a stranger" encapsulates Knapper's zest for life. He had a unique gift to make everyone feel special, and to Knapper, they all were.
While his family, friends, and players still had so much to learn from him and desperately wished they had more time with him, God called an audible and wanted to go over the game plan directly with him. It will certainly be a masterpiece, just like Greg!
Please visit www.caringbridge.org to post photos, memories or notes to his family and information for Celebration of Life service.
# RIPKNAPPER