Third Annual Coach Knapp Stair Climb Campaign Concludes This Sunday with the Washington Commanders and the Atlanta Falcons Taking To The Stairs of Northwest Stadium
Joint stair climb marks the conclusion of the third year of the event, which has now raised over $250,000 to combat distracted driving
New York, December 27, 2024 – This Sunday night The Coach Knapp Memorial Fund will conclude its fall awareness program, with the Atlanta Falcons and Washington Commanders taking to the stairs of Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland in the third joint stair climb of the NFL season. The climb, now in its third year, named in honor of veteran NFL assistant coach Greg Knapp, is dedicated to educating drivers on the dangers of distracted driving, reduce the number of distracted driving related deaths, and promote distracted driving awareness reform. Over 500 coaches, players and staff participated in various forms on game days, easily eclipsing the goal of 20+ participating teams, while raising over $250,000 to date.
“Greg Knapp was the ultimate teammate and friend. I had the honor and privilege of coaching with him with three different teams and the one ritual he taught me was to run the stairs before every single game,” said Washington Commanders Head Coach Dan Quinn. “My coaching staff and I are excited to be partnering with Raheem Morris and the Atlanta Falcons staff to run the stairs together pregame before our game on Sunday night in honor of Greg and in support of The Coach Knapp Memorial Fund. I look forward to continuing to raise money and awareness to combat distracted driving and honor the life and memory of Greg in a meaningful and impactful way.”
“Greg Knapp was a mentor and a friend to so many. From players to coaches, staff, friends and family, Knapper had an impact on everyone he met. His positivity and teaching skills influenced so many within the Atlanta Falcons organization, myself included.” Said Head Coach of the Atlanta Falcons, Raheem Morris. “We continue to honor his legacy and memory by joining with Dan Quinn and the Washington Commanders and participating in the Coach Knapp Stair Climb as we look to help curb distracted driving and protect all road users for good.”
The fund was created by Greg’s wife, Charlotte, and close friend and agent, 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.
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.