Sports Media Report
The Coach Knapp Memorial Fund, named in honor of veteran NFL assistant coach Greg Knapp, dedicated to educating drivers on the dangers of distracted driving, reduce the number of distracted driving related deaths, and promote distracted driving awareness reform, today announced its return for a fourth season for this fall’s “Coach Knapp Stair Climb.” This coming weekend, the Green Bay Packers will open the regular season by taking on the Lambeau Field steps before their game with the Detroit Lions.
“Greg Knapp was an A+ human in every sense of the word. He was the kind of coach, colleague, and friend who made everyone around him better — not just on the field, but in life,” said Packers head coach Matt LaFleur. “The Knapp Stair Climb is a meaningful way for all of us in the football community to honor his legacy and the incredible person he was. This event serves as a powerful reminder of the legacy that Greg left behind.”
This year’s initiative started during the preseason led by Ripon College and the Los Angeles Rams. Over 500 coaches, players and staff will be participating in various forms on game days.
The fund, which has raised over $250,000 to date already, was created by Greg’s wife, Charlotte, and close friend and agent, the late Jeff Sperbeck, to honor the legacy of Greg Knapp who tragically passed away in July 2021 after being hit by a distracted driver while he was bicycling. Coach Knapp was known for climbing the stadium stairs before every single NFL game he coached over his 25 season career. All will be tagged #knappstairclimb on social platforms.
In honor of Coach Knapp, NFL coaches, players, executives and alumni will participate in raising funds and awareness at each NFL stadium prior to team warm ups. Teams confirmed to participate in the stair climb include: the Packers, Rams, Commanders, Falcons, Dolphins and 49ers as well as Sacramento State, Lenoir Rhyne and Ripon College. Additional participants will be announced in the coming weeks.
At the time of his passing, Knapp was recently named Passing Game Coordinator of the New York Jets under head coach Robert Saleh, after serving as an assistant coach for over a quarter of a century with the Atlanta Falcons, Denver Broncos, Oakland (now Las Vegas) Raiders, Houston Texans, Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers. Known as a “quarterback whisperer,” Greg coached some of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history helping chart the careers of many young athletes with kindness, humor and trust.
Fans, athletes, and coaches at any level can also participate wherever is most convenient to them across the country, such as apartment building stairs or a high school sports stadium. Images will be shared on various social channels.
To learn more on how you can get involved, details can be found at https://www.knappmemorial.org/stairclimb
