SAN DIEGO – DECEMBER 31: Head coach Marty Schottenheimer of the San Diego Chargers looks on against the Arizona Cardinals at Qualcomm Stadium on December 31, 2006 in San Diego, California. The Chargers won 27-20. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Former NFL head coach Marty Schottenheimer has been battling Alzheimer’s disease for the past five years, according to a report from ESPN Cleveland’s Tony Grossi.

“He’s in the best of health, [but] sometimes he just doesn’t remember everything,” Pat said. “He functions extremely well, plays golf several times a week. He’s got that memory lag where he’ll ask you the same question three or four times.

“He remembers people and faces, and he pulls out strange things that I’ve never heard, but he’s doing well. It’s going be a long road. We both know that.”

The news of the disease has come to light as the Cleveland Browns are planning a 30th anniversary celebration of the 1986 Browns, who lost to John Elway and the Denver Broncos in the 1986 AFC Championship Game (that was the game that featured The Drive.) With Schottenheimer’s battle ongoing, it was unknown if he would attend the celebration. Apparently, he intends to be there to see his former team.

Schottenhiemer was the head coach of the Browns from 1984 through 1988. He later coached the Kansas City Chiefs, the Washington Redskins and San Diego Chargers before stepping into retirement after the 1006 season.

The story is more upbeat than you might expect given the subject matter:

But this is not a sad story.

Marty Schottenheimer takes over the phone in his home overlooking Lake Norman just north of Charlotte, NC, and says, “I’m sitting here looking at a lake and it’s a spectacular setting. Pat and I, the Lord’s blessed us. I mean, there’s no other way I can identify it. We’re doing really good.”

It’s well worth the read, and best wishes to Marty and his family going forward.

[ESPN]

About Kevin McGuire

Contributor to Athlon Sports and The Comeback. Previously contributed to NBCSports.com. Host of the Locked On Nittany Lions Podcast. FWAA member and Philadelphia-area resident.