http://www.sacbee.com/100/story/300463.html
Passing of a legend
Innovative coach changed football
By Jim Jenkins - Bee Staff Writer
Published 12:00 am PDT Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C3
Bill Walsh knew he didn't have long to live when he spoke last Thursday with John McVay, his executive assistant throughout his coaching tenure with the 49ers.
"We would usually talk every week or so, but that was the final time," said McVay, retired and living in Granite Bay. "He sensed that the end was near. It was then that he told me he had been given last rites (by the Catholic Church). He said he was in bed and didn't feel like getting up."
McVay, who stayed on with the organization after Walsh's retirement and earned the last two of the organization's five Super Bowl championship rings, said everyone in the extended 49ers family hoped for the best but realized Walsh was fighting big odds.
McVay said he received a phone call Monday morning from Eddie DeBartolo Jr., the 49ers owner who hired Walsh in 1979 and now is a developer in Tampa, Fla.
"Eddie told me we all lost a very good friend today," McVay said. "I couldn't agree more. It's a great loss."
Randy Cross, one member of the 49ers' extended family and a former center and guard on the team, said, "We all knew (Walsh's death) was coming but it is still a shock when you hear it."
Cross, who lives near Atlanta and is now an NFL broadcast analyst with CBS, said Walsh had a big impact on the NFL.
"If there was a Mount Rushmore of the NFL, his face would certainly be on it," said Cross, who played on all three of Walsh's Super Bowl title teams. "It's safe to say, there are more people in the game today, pro and college, who have been influenced by Bill than those who haven't been. And that's saying a lot."
Steve Young, whose career was adrift with Tampa Bay, was acquired in a 1987 draft-day trade by Walsh and eventually followed Joe Montana as a Hall of Fame quarterback with the 49ers.
"What do I owe Bill Walsh? Wow!" said Young when contacted at his Bay Area home. "I can start out by saying, he obviously saw something in me that I didn't see in myself and, I guess, that would be the ultimate compliment for a coach.
"He just had the unique ability to get the most out of people. He was innovative, someone who looked at football like no one else before. He impacted every facet of the NFL, from strength and conditioning coaches, to how you prepared and played."
Young said his relationship with Walsh actually grew in their retirement years and the two recently had lunch together.
"I spoke with Bill's son, Craig, (Sunday night) in the hope I could see Bill (Monday)," Young said. "But I understand over the last week, he was able to see a lot of people. I know Joe (Montana) went by, so did John Madden, Al Davis, and many others close to him."
In a statement released through the Raiders, Davis said: "Bill knew what was coming. He gave us a chance to say goodbye. It was a great visit."
Former 49ers linebacker Dan Bunz, who arguably made the greatest defensive play during Walsh's glory years, a goal-line stop of Cincinnati running back Charles Alexander in the fourth quarter of the 49ers' first Super Bowl victory, said his former coach deserves a special place in San Francisco history.
"He's the guy who changed the way San Francisco thought about itself," said Bunz, who lives in Rocklin. "He was competitive in everything he did, so this situation had to be difficult for him."
About the writer: The Bee's Jim Jenkins can be reached at jjenkins@sacbee.com.
Passing of a legend
Innovative coach changed football
By Jim Jenkins - Bee Staff Writer
Published 12:00 am PDT Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C3
Bill Walsh knew he didn't have long to live when he spoke last Thursday with John McVay, his executive assistant throughout his coaching tenure with the 49ers.
"We would usually talk every week or so, but that was the final time," said McVay, retired and living in Granite Bay. "He sensed that the end was near. It was then that he told me he had been given last rites (by the Catholic Church). He said he was in bed and didn't feel like getting up."
McVay, who stayed on with the organization after Walsh's retirement and earned the last two of the organization's five Super Bowl championship rings, said everyone in the extended 49ers family hoped for the best but realized Walsh was fighting big odds.
McVay said he received a phone call Monday morning from Eddie DeBartolo Jr., the 49ers owner who hired Walsh in 1979 and now is a developer in Tampa, Fla.
"Eddie told me we all lost a very good friend today," McVay said. "I couldn't agree more. It's a great loss."
Randy Cross, one member of the 49ers' extended family and a former center and guard on the team, said, "We all knew (Walsh's death) was coming but it is still a shock when you hear it."
Cross, who lives near Atlanta and is now an NFL broadcast analyst with CBS, said Walsh had a big impact on the NFL.
"If there was a Mount Rushmore of the NFL, his face would certainly be on it," said Cross, who played on all three of Walsh's Super Bowl title teams. "It's safe to say, there are more people in the game today, pro and college, who have been influenced by Bill than those who haven't been. And that's saying a lot."
Steve Young, whose career was adrift with Tampa Bay, was acquired in a 1987 draft-day trade by Walsh and eventually followed Joe Montana as a Hall of Fame quarterback with the 49ers.
"What do I owe Bill Walsh? Wow!" said Young when contacted at his Bay Area home. "I can start out by saying, he obviously saw something in me that I didn't see in myself and, I guess, that would be the ultimate compliment for a coach.
"He just had the unique ability to get the most out of people. He was innovative, someone who looked at football like no one else before. He impacted every facet of the NFL, from strength and conditioning coaches, to how you prepared and played."
Young said his relationship with Walsh actually grew in their retirement years and the two recently had lunch together.
"I spoke with Bill's son, Craig, (Sunday night) in the hope I could see Bill (Monday)," Young said. "But I understand over the last week, he was able to see a lot of people. I know Joe (Montana) went by, so did John Madden, Al Davis, and many others close to him."
In a statement released through the Raiders, Davis said: "Bill knew what was coming. He gave us a chance to say goodbye. It was a great visit."
Former 49ers linebacker Dan Bunz, who arguably made the greatest defensive play during Walsh's glory years, a goal-line stop of Cincinnati running back Charles Alexander in the fourth quarter of the 49ers' first Super Bowl victory, said his former coach deserves a special place in San Francisco history.
"He's the guy who changed the way San Francisco thought about itself," said Bunz, who lives in Rocklin. "He was competitive in everything he did, so this situation had to be difficult for him."
About the writer: The Bee's Jim Jenkins can be reached at jjenkins@sacbee.com.
