Vikings Cancel Practice to Attend Sparano Service

Wayzata, MN (Learfield News Service) - Minnesota Vikings training camp was put on hold Friday so players, coaches, and staff could pay their respects to assistant coach Tony Sparano.

Nearly 300 people attended the memorial service for Sparano in Wayzata.

Several buses brought team members and Vikings personnel from headquarters in Eagan to St. Bartholomew's Church. The Vikings offensive line served as pallbearers. Sparano's children gave readings about their father and Sparano's wife Jeannette delivered the eulogy. Fifty-six-year-old Sparano died of heart disease Sunday in their Eden Prairie home.