Former Chiefs offensive line coach dies two weeks after motorcycle accident
.JPG "Longtime NFL coach Howard Mudd has died. He worked in Kansas City under Marty Schottenheimer.")
Howard Mudd, one of the most respected offensive line coaches in NFL history, died two weeks after being critically injured in a motorcycle accident, his family announced Wednesday. He was 78.
Mudd spent nearly five decades in the NFL, first as a player and then as a longtime offensive line coach.
The latter career included a stop in Kansas City. He coached the Chiefs line from 1989-92 under Marty Schottenheimer. Barry Word and Christian Okoye both enjoyed 1,000-yard rushing seasons during his time here, in which he coached linemen Tim Grunhard, John Alt and Dave Szott, among others.
“Today the NFL lost one of the great o-line coaches and my mentor,” Grunhard wrote on Twitter. “Howard was my 1st OL coach and believed in me and was instrumental in me being drafted to the Chiefs. I loved this man as a father along with countless other OL who played around the league.”
Mudd was a three-time Pro Bowl selection as a player. He became most prominently known during his 11-year tenure as the Colts’ offensive line coach from 1998-2009, which included a Peyton Manning-led Super Bowl run.
In addition to the Chiefs and Colts, Mudd’s career included stints with the Chargers, 49ers, Seahawks, Browns and Eagles.
Mudd spent two weeks in intensive care following the motorcycle accident, which left him with multiple injuries, his family said.
“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,” his family posted on CaringBridge.org, also writing, “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.”