Former 49ers coach Walsh says has leukemia

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Former San Francisco 49ers head coach Bill Walsh, who led the National Football League franchise to three Super Bowl victories, has a form of leukemia, a newspaper reported on Friday.

The 74-year-old Hall-of-Fame coach said in a telephone interview with the Santa Rosa Press Democrat that he has been undergoing treatment over the past month.

"News about me has been circulating," he said. "It's been getting back to me. The media has been aware of the possibility of this and has refrained from writing.

"There are too many people following the progress of this. I felt it was appropriate to confirm what's happening. I hope now that I have done that, the media will refrain from phoning me."

"I'm pragmatically doing everything my physicians recommend and I'm working my way through it," Walsh said.

In 10 seasons as 49ers head coach, Walsh posted a 102-63-1 record, including 10 wins in 14 post-season games.

He led the 49ers to six NFC Western Division championships and to NFC titles in 1981, 1984 and 1988 followed by victories in Super Bowls XVI, XIX and XXIII.

The Super Bowl successes secured the 49ers reputation as a storied NFL franchise and the league's powerhouse in the 1980s.

I cant believe he is 74, i thought he was younger

damn