New York Jets Assistant Coach Greg Knapp Dies

New York Jets and former Atlanta Falcons assistant coach, Greg Knapp, has died as a result of injuries sustained when he was hit by a vehicle while riding his bicycle this past weekend. He was only 58 years old.

Knapp was known for his expertise with quarterbacks and was only days away from flying to New Jersey to begin his first season as the Jets’ passing-game specialist under new coach Robert Saleh.

“Greg had such an inner peace about him that people always seemed to gravitate towards,” Saleh said in a statement. “He lived life in a loving way that helped him connect with people from all walks of life uniquely.”

“In his short time here, I believe the people in this organization had a chance to experience that connection,” Saleh’s statement read. “Greg, thank you for all that you have shared with us, you will be missed brother.”

Hired in January, Knapp made “genuine connections with all of our coaches, players, and staff,” said Saleh, who described him as having “a fun nature, kind disposition, and (a) wealth of knowledge.”

An avid bicyclist, Knapp was hit by a single motorist at about 2:49 p.m. EST., not far from his home in Danville, San Ramon police said. According to police, the driver of the vehicle, whose name is being withheld, wasn’t under the influence of drugs or alcohol and is cooperating with the ongoing investigation.

The family said in a statement that Knapp died five days after being struck at 2:32 p.m. EST. He never regained consciousness.

“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,” the family said in a statement. “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 family said. “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.”

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

“In his short time with us, Greg had an immediate influence on those who had the pleasure of spending the smallest amount of time with him,” the statement reads. “His legacy is not only working with some of the brightest quarterbacks the league has ever seen, but the countless others across this world he has had an indelibly positive influence on.”

Article by Allan Perez