Howard Mudd obit

Legendary NFL assistant coach Howard Mudd dies at 78

 

He was not on the list.

Howard Mudd, a former NFL player and longtime offensive line coach for the Indianapolis Colts, died Wednesday at age 78 after suffering injuries in a motorcycle accident. 

Mudd, who made his name building the offensive lines in front of Peyton Manning, was in the motorcycle accident two weeks ago. 

 

 

"I have so much love and respect for Howard," Colts coach Frank Reich told reporters Wednesday. "I got my coaching break here with the Colts -- the one quick story that comes to mind is 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 run game and things relevant to the quarterback. I remember going into his office one time and he had pushed me around one too many times verbally, I just finally lashed back out on him. It was a good lashing for me. ... I let him have it. After I was finished, he just started laughing and he said, I love that. That's what I love to see. He was just an old ball coach. Our thoughts and prayers are with him and Shirley [Mudd] -- just have a lot of love and respect for Howard Mudd."

Mudd was named the offensive line coach for the Philadelphia Eagles after being talked out of retirement on February 2, 2011. In Mudd's first season with the Eagles, they allowed 17 fewer sacks than they had the previous season, and helped LeSean McCoy lead the NFL in total touchdowns.Mudd retired at the conclusion of the 2012 season.

Mudd had his most success when he coached the Colts' offensive line, which was led by Pro Bowl center Jeff Saturday, from 1998-2009. The Colts played in two Super Bowls, winning one, during that span with quarterback Peyton Manning with other offensive stars such as Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne, Tarik Glenn, Edgerrin James, Dallas Clark, Joseph Addai, Dominic Rhodes and Jake Scott while working with head coach Tony Dungy.

His teammates, coaches and owners as a player include: John Brodie, Billy Kilmer, Dave Wilcox, Jimmy Johnson, Dave Parks, Jack Christiansen, Victor Morabito, Josephine Morabito, Jane Morabito, Ken Willard, John David Crow, Bernie Casey, John Thomas, Bruce Bosley, Steve Spurrier, Dick Nolan, Jim Shofner, Clifton McNeil, Clem Daniels, Kermit Alexander and Sonny Randle.

The family’s statement:

We want to share that yesterday we (as a family) made the decision to focus care on providing Howard the most comfort. Right after the accident he fought so hard against all odds to communicate to us that he loves us and that he knows we love him. Yesterday, it became clear that he was ready and that we needed to surround him with love and fight for his right to comfort and peace.

This morning he was surrounded in the room by his sons (Darren and Adam) who held his arms and prayed over him as he passed away.

Howard deeply loved and enjoyed his many friends and family. Please honor Howard today and every day by sharing a belly laugh with a loved one, or telling a stupid joke, or calling up a friend to tell them you are thinking of them.

Please know that we appreciate all the support & love & prayers for our family. He was loved by so many. We are missing a link in our family & at this time trying to support one another.

No funeral planned. However, a celebration of his life will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite charity or Howard’s favorite : Indianapolis Great Pyrenees Rescue, Indianapolis, In.

We love you all.
Mudd family

Colts owner Jim Irsay offered his condolences

Mudd was a former offensive lineman and offensive line coach in the NFL. From 1998–2009, he was the offensive line coach for the Indianapolis Colts, with whom he won Super Bowl XLI. He played seven seasons for the San Francisco 49ers and the Chicago Bears from 1964-70. Mudd was a three-time Pro Bowler in 1966-68. He retired in 1971 due to a knee injury, and began his coaching career at the University of California the following year.

Career history  

As player: 

San Francisco 49ers (1964–1969)Chicago Bears (1969–1970) 

As coach: 

Unuiversity of California (1972–1973) (OL)San Diego Chargers (1974–1976) (OL)San Francisco 49ers (1977) (OL)Seattle Seahawks (1978–1982) (OL)Cleveland Browns (1983–1988) (OL)Kansas City Chiefs (1989–1992) (OL)Seattle Seahawks (1993–1997) (OL)Indianapolis Colts (1998–2009) (OL)Philadelphia Eagles (2011–2012) (OL)Indianapolis Colts (2019) (SOA)