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Ex 49-ers Coach Walsh Dies At 75

Hall of Famer battled leukemia since 2004

By Jesse Andrews,  Newser User

Posted Jul 30, 2007 7:02 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Bill Walsh, known as  "The Genius" in football circles for leading the San Francisco 49ers to three NFL championships, has died. He was 75.

Walsh, who had been in failing health in recent months, was diagnosed with leukemia in 2004.

Walsh was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1993. He leaves behind an indelible legacy on professional football as a coach, teacher and innovator. He took over a horrid San Francisco team in 1979 and turned it into a dominant team in the '80s. Under Walsh's leadership, the 49ers won three Super Bowl championships and six NFC West division titles. During his 10 seasons as coach, the 49ers went 102-63-1.

Walsh died of leukemia at his home in Woodside, California, with family members by his side.

San Francisco 49ers coach Bill Walsh is hoisted on the shoulders of his team after they defeated the Miami Dolphins 38-16 in Super Bowl XIX in this Jan. 20, 1985 file photo, at Stanford, Stadium, in Palo Alto, Calif. Stanford University has said that Walsh, a Hall of Fame football...
San Francisco 49ers coach Bill Walsh is hoisted on the shoulders of his team after they defeated the Miami Dolphins 38-16 in Super Bowl XIX in this Jan. 20, 1985 file photo, at Stanford, Stadium, in Palo...   (Associated Press)
Former San Francisco 49ers head coach Bill Walsh poses with a bust of himself after being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in this file photo taken on Saturday, July 31, 1993, in Canton, Ohio. Walsh, the ground-breaking football coach who won three Super Bowl titles and perfected...
Former San Francisco 49ers head coach Bill Walsh poses with a bust of himself after being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in this file photo taken on Saturday, July 31, 1993, in Canton, Ohio....   (Associated Press)
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Joe Montana and head coach Bill Walsh smile for photographers during the closing moments of their playoff game against the Minnesota Vikings in this Jan. 4, 1989 file photo at Candlestick Park in San Francisco. Walsh, the groundbreaking football coach who won three Super Bowls and...
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Joe Montana and head coach Bill Walsh smile for photographers during the closing moments of their playoff game against the Minnesota Vikings in this Jan. 4, 1989 file photo...   (Associated Press)
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NFL • football • obituary • Bill Walsh • San Francisco 49ers • coach

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