In the blog below this one we wrote about longtime NFL assistant Bob Karmelowicz and the influence he had on Vikings defensive end Jared Allen. Karmelowicz passed away on Saturday.

Karmelowicz was Allen's first line coach in the NFL with Kansas City and then helped Allen again on a freelance basis during the 2008 season after Allen joined the Vikings.

Allen gave a statement to the Star Tribune this evening about Karmelowicz. "He was a major influence in my career," Allen said via text message. "Not only was he a great coach, he was a better man. He was a great friend and I will miss him dearly. I will always love him."