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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Holmgren discloses surgery caused him to miss camp

Gregg Bell Associated Press

KIRKLAND, Wash. – Seattle Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren said surgery forced him to miss two days of minicamp, although he wouldn’t say what was wrong.

“I didn’t die, all right?” a smiling Holmgren said Thursday after the team’s final minicamp practice. “No, I had a little surgery done on Monday. That’s all I’m really going to say about it. … I just need a little time to recover from it and we’re all set.”

The team repeatedly said the coach was dealing with a minor medical procedure. Holmgren, who turns 60 on Sunday, is beginning his 10th and final season as Seahawks coach. He said that until training camp begins July 25 he will go to his cabin in Northern California to read, ride his motorcycle and spend time with family.

“Our ‘off-season’ really doesn’t exist any more, really,” he said. “It used to be different, where you had a little more time to get away from it. It’s a very emotional business and it takes a lot out of you. All of us need time now to recharge the batteries and find someplace with a little sun perhaps and come back raring to go.”