Howard Mudd, who spent 11-plus seasons as a legendary offensive line coach with the Indianapolis Colts, died today from injuries suffered in a tragic motorcycle accident.
“Rest in peace, Howard Mudd,” Colts owner Jim Irsay said tweeted today. “Howard was a GREAT player during a short career and has since become one of the game’s most offensive line coaches. He has contributed to many different teams over 47 years in our league — but he will always be a Colt. “
Mudd, a Midland, Mich., Native, was an All-American offensive lineman at Little Hillsdale College, and in 1964 missed the opportunity when he was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the ninth round of the NFL. Draft.
Mudd, a member of the 1960 NFL All-Decade team, was twice named All-Pro and selected to three Pro Bowls during his playing career with the 49ers (1964-69) and the Chicago Bears (1969). -70).
After an eight-year career cut short by a knee injury, Mudd entered the coaching rank as an offensive line coach at the University of California in 1972, spending two years in school. He was hired by the San Diego Chargers in 1974, making a decade-long career as one of the greatest offensive line coaches in NFL history.
Mudd was on the staff of the Chargers (1974-76), 49ers (1977), Seattle Seahawks (1978-82; 1993-97), Cleveland Browns (1983-88), Kansas City Chiefs (1989-92) and Eagles (2011-12), but he is perhaps best known for his work with the Colts’ official line from 1998 to 2009.
During that span, Mudd was a member of the Colts’ Super Bowl XLI Championship team, and he played an enormous role in ensuring the protection of future Hall of Famer Peyton Manning, who was one of the worst sacked quarterbacks in the competition during Mudd’s tenure as Indy’s offensive line coach.
Mudd retired from the NFL after spending the 2012 season as an assistant in the Eagles’ staff, but last year he returned to the Colts for a seven-month stint as a senior offensive assistant coach, and helped his friend and then-first-year offensive line coach Chris Strausser get the line ready for the 2019 season.
Mudd, an avid motorcyclist, was critically injured in an accident at his Seattle home on July 29, and after a fierce fight, died this morning, according to his family.
“We want to share yesterday that we (as a family) made the decision to concentrate on giving Howard the most comfort,” the Mudd family wrote in a post on their CaringBridge.org page. “Immediately after the accident, he fought so hard against every opportunity to communicate with us that he loved us and that he knew we loved him. Yesterday it became clear that he was ready and that we needed him to surround him and fighting for his right to comfort and peace.
“In the morning he was surrounded in the room by his sons (Darren and Adam) who held his arms and prayed over him when he died.”
According to the Mudd family, while no funeral is planned, a celebration of life service will be held at a later date. Instead of flowers, the family asks those interested in donating to their favorite cause like Mudd’s favorite charity: the Indianapolis Great Pyrenees Rescue.
“Howard deeply loved and enjoyed his many friends and family,” his family wrote. “Honor Howard today and every day by sharing a tummy tuck with a loved one, or telling a stupid joke, or inviting a friend to tell her you think of her.”
