Howard Mudd, a former All-Pro lineman who coached in the NFL for 38 seasons, passed away Wednesday, his family announced. Mudd was surrounded by family after suffering multiple injuries from a motorcycle accident in late July. He was 78.
The Michigan native spent nearly 50 years in the NFL, breaking in as an offensive lineman with the San Francisco 49ers in 1964 and wrapping up his playing career with the Chicago Bears in 1970. In-between, he was a member of the 1960s All-Decade team after making the Pro Bowl three times and All-Pro twice.
His work on the offensive line was just getting started, however. Mudd served as an O-line coach for the 49ers, San Diego Chargers, Seattle Seahawks, Cleveland Browns, Kansas City Chiefs, Indianapolis Colts and Philadelphia Eagles. His 12-year tenure in Indianapolis was his longest, and it’s where he helped the franchise win Super Bowl XLI.