San Franciscans and football fans across America mourn the loss of one of the sports giants — Bill Walsh. As the head coach of three Super Bowl winning 49ers teams, Bill Walsh is remembered as a 'The Genius' for his groundbreaking offensive strategy and as the epitome of sportsmanship.
Bill Walsh revolutionized coaching in professional football and was a mentor to several of today's leading NFL head coaches. He also helped many minority coaches break into the profession, creating the Minority Coaching Fellowship program in 1987, because he recognized that football's sidelines should be as diverse as the teams on the field. For his many accomplishments, Bill Walsh was elected to the Professional Football Hall of Fame in 1993.
While he was the pride of the Bay Area, Bill Walsh's influence was felt across the nation and the National Football League. I pass along my deepest condolences to the Walsh family and to the 49ers organization. I hope it is some comfort to his wife, Geri, and his two children, Craig and Elizabeth, that so many are praying for them at this sad time.