Bowden reveals he had prostrate cancer

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Former Florida State football coach Bobby Bowden revealed he was successfully treated for prostate cancer in 2007, making the rounds Tuesday in New York to tell his story.

Although he had kept it secret for more than four years, Bowden said he believed it was now “my moral duty to bring it out in the open.”

Bowden, who turns 82 in early November, appeared on several morning television shows as a paid spokesman for a national prostate cancer education initiative called On The Line. He’s scheduled for more appearances there Wednesday.

About 240,000 American men are diagnosed annually with prostate cancer and about 33,720 die from the disease, according to the National Cancer Institute. Only lung cancer kills more American men. It is frequently a slow-growing cancer.

Bowden was treated by one of his former players who was captain of the coach’s first team at FSU in 1976. Dr. Joe Camps, a urologist and surgical oncologist, implanted low-dose radiation seeds in Bowden’s prostate.

Irish TE out for season with knee injury

SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — Notre Dame tight end Mike Ragone will undergo surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament and miss the rest of the season.

Ragone, known mostly for his blocking ability, was hurt in Saturday night’s 35-31 loss to Michigan. The 6-foot-4, 250-pound senior has one catch for 10 yards this season and 11 for his career for 109 yards.

Ragone also missed the 2008 season after undergoing similar surgery.

Kelly said tight ends Alex Welch (foot) and Jake Golic (broken arm) have been cleared to practice and play, so that will help the depth at the position. Tyler Eifert is the starter. Freshman Ben Koyack saw action against Michigan.

Kelly also said linebacker Danny Spond’s hamstring injury isn’t as serious as first thought, but he will likely miss Saturday’s game against Michigan State. Nose guard Sean Cwynar has improved after breaking a bone in his hand.