Terry Bowden: Bobby Bowden has pancreatic cancer

The college football and sports communities were saddened to learn Wednesday that legendary former Florida State Seminoles head coach Bobby Bowden is dealing with a terminal medical condition. 

Per the Associated Press/ESPN, University of Louisiana Monroe head coach Terry Bowden, Bobby Bowden's son, confirmed Thursday his father is suffering from pancreatic cancer. 

"The news came out [Wednesday], but we've known for about 10 days," Terry explained. "We've been preparing for this. We know when you have pancreatic cancer, which is what the disease is, you're probably talking months, not years, so we know that. We just think we've got some more good days ahead, and we're going to enjoy those together.

"I would plead that all people would respect the fact he needs to rest when he's up. He doesn't need a lot of phone calls, or a lot of people talking on the phone. You know my dad; he has never turned down an interview in his life. He'll be on his deathbed [doing] an interview the last minute he does it. But, that's Bobby Bowden."

Terry added Bobby is "doing as good as expected" considering the circumstances. 

Bobby Bowden, 91, won national championships in 1993 and 1999 as head coach of the Seminoles. He also guided the program to 12 Atlantic Coast Conference titles and is fourth all time in total collegiate wins with 377. 

The Hall of Famer battled COVID-19 last fall and was hospitalized for five days late last month for a different reason.