In a statement released by the club, Snyder said: "Bill Walsh was one of the first people I met after buying the Redskins in 1999. We spent time together at league events and he was generous with his guidance for a rookie owner. His legacy is on display every time an NFL team takes the field. My prayers are with his family at this sad time."

Said Gibbs: "I was saddened to hear the news of Bill Walsh's passing today. My son [Coy Gibbs] had the opportunity to play under him at Stanford [from 1992-94]. His contributions to the NFL are well documented and his West Coast Offense remains prevalent throughout the league today.

"He was truly a pioneer for the game. He was a tremendous competitor and innovator and he leaves a legacy through all those who had the opportunity to learn from him. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Walsh family."...

"He was a great innovator of football," Cerrato said of Walsh. "What he did for the San Francisco 49ers was spectacular. He had a tough battle with leukemia, and knowing Bill, he fought, and fought, and fought."

Asked about Walsh's legacy, Cerrato replied: "It's the West Coast offense, and developing Joe Montana and Steve Young, among others. He won a lot of games and took a program in the 49ers that was down in the dumps and turned them into a Super Bowl team."