INDIANAPOLIS – Howard Mudd, the Colts’ longtime offensive line coach, has died, his family announced Wednesday. He was 78.
Mudd spent two weeks in ICU at a Seattle hospital with multiple injuries, including a fractured back and pelvis, following a motorcycle accident on July 29.
“Shortly 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,” Mudd’s family said in a statement to Fox59 in Indianapolis. “[Tuesday], it became clear that he was ready and that we needed him to surround him with love and fight for his right to comfort and peace. [Wednesday] tomorrow he was surrounded in the room by his sons [Darren and Adam] who held his arms and prayed over him when he died. “Howard has deeply loved and enjoyed his many friends and family. Please honor Howard today and every day by sharing a tummy tuck with a loved one, or telling a dumb joke, or inviting a friend to tell her that you care about her. “
Colts owner Jim Irsay praised Mudd on Twitter:
Rest in peace, Howard Mudd. Howard was a GREAT player during a short career and then became one of the highest offensive line coaches of the game. He has contributed to many different teams over 47 years in our league — but he will always be a Colt. #LoveYouHoward
– Jim Irsay (@JimIrsay) August 12, 2020
Mudd began what was almost an NFL career that lasted nearly 50 years when he was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the ninth round from Michigan State in 1964. He played with the 49ers until 1969 when he his last two seasons with the Chicago Bears. Mudd was named three times after the Pro Bowl, two All-Pro teams and the 1960 All-Decade team.
Mudd began his coaching career as the offensive line coach at the University of California in 1972. He then transitioned to the NFL, where he coached the Colts (twice), San Diego Chargers, 49ers, Seattle Seahawks (twice). ), Cleveland Browns, Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles.
The 49ers tweeted sympathy to Mudd’s family, called him a legendary coach.
Mudd had his most success when he coached the Colts’ offensive line, led by Pro Bowl center Jeff Saturday, from 1998-2009. The Colts played in two Super Bowls, winning one, in that team with quarterback Peyton Manning.
Manning told how seriously Mudd took owner Jim Irsay’s guideline to protect the quarterback.
“Jim Irsay came down [Mudd’s] office and left a note on his desk saying, ‘Howard, your job is no. 18 to keep protected. To keep number 18 clean. ” Manning said in a statement released by the team. ‘Howard always kept that with him and always took that direct command of our owner very seriously. In every game plan meeting and every practice I knew, he always thought about how I could protect myself as a quarterback in the box with various blocking arrangements and ways to run the ball. That was always on his mind and he kept that thought process with him throughout his career. As a quarterback, I can not tell you how much that meant to me that I knew he was on his mind and that was one of his top priorities.
“Of course, Howard was a great player in the NFL. He was a legendary coach. In my opinion, Howard Mudd was the best offensive line coach in NFL history. I would put him on that foot every day of the week. I know all the guys who would play for him feel the same way and many of the guys who coached him will feel the same. He will be missed by many. I know that as much as I am grateful have played for him. “
Mudd was briefly with the Colts as a senior assistant in staff of coach Frank Reich in 2019.
“I got my coaching break here with the Colts,” Reich said Wednesday. “I was the offensive quality control [coach] and then I was the quarterback coach. So working with Peyton, I would have to go into Howard’s office all the time to talk about the running game and things relevant to the quarterback. I remember going to his office once and he had kicked me out too many times, I finally let him stretch out on him again … I let him have it. After I was done, he just started laughing and he said, ‘I love it. That’s what I like to see. ‘He was just and old ball coach. Our thoughts and prayers are with him and Shirley [Mudd]. “
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