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Jets assistant coach Greg Knapp dies at 58

Jonathan Bachman / Getty Images Sport / Getty

New York Jets assistant coach Greg Knapp died Thursday at age 58, the team announced.

Knapp was hospitalized in critical condition earlier this week after being hit by a motorist while riding a bicycle in California.

"Greg's infectious personality is most people's first and lasting memory of him," said Knapp's family in a statement. "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!"

Knapp joined the Jets as a passing game specialist this season. He became an assistant in the NFL in 1997 and spent time with several teams, including the Denver Broncos (2013-16) and Atlanta Falcons (2018-20), where he acted as quarterbacks coach for multiples campaigns.

The Louisiana native, who played quarterback at Sacramento State, was part of the Broncos' coaching staff that won Super Bowl 50.

Chicago Bears tight ends coach Clancy Barone, who was close friends with Knapp and was also in Denver during its championship run, honored Knapp in a social media post Thursday.

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