It was a scary weekend in the NFL for Broncos head coach John Fox and Texans head coach Gary Kubiak.
Fox experienced heart attack symptoms while golfing on Saturday and a trip to the emergency room revealed a heart valve defect that required surgery. The Broncos announced today that Fox is recovering after a successful operation.
Fox’s tie to Minnesota is Jack Del Rio, who the Broncos temporarily promoted from defensive coordinator to interim head coach while Fox is away. Del Rio played linebacker for the Vikings from 1992-1995.
Del Rio led the Vikings in tackles three consecutive seasons (1992-1994). He was the head coach in Jacksonville from 2003-2011.
Kubiak gave a national television audience a scare when he collapsed along the sideline at halftime of the Texans-Colts game on NBC’s Sunday Night Football.
Reports today ruled out a heart attack and stroke, but Kubiak remains hospitalized for continued evaluation and monitoring, according to FOX Sports.
Kubiak is connected to Minnesota through his son Klint Kubiak, who is the Vikings’ offensive quality control coach.
“He just flew down this morning to be with his dad,” Vikings coach Leslie Frazier said of Klint, via Vikings.com. “Challenging situation for their family. Our thoughts and prayers go out to them along with John Fox and his family as well.”
Frazier added that NFL coaches need to do all they can to take care of themselves during the season.
“You try to take care of your body. You try to create some balance… even during the season and you have to be able to do that. It can be all-consuming if you allow it… just have to try to create some balance,” he said.
Gary and Klint Kubiak were on the field against each other for the first time when the Vikings played the Texas during the preseason.
“It’s pretty cool,” Gary said in an interview at the time. “I’m proud of him. He’s worked real hard at (Texas) A&M. Got his masters there. He was under two great coaches in (Mike) Sherman and (Kevin) Sumlin and then he gets a great opportunity there in Minnesota. So it’s a chance for me to see him. I haven’t seem in awhile, but very proud of him.”
