Legendary Colts Coach Howard Mudd Dead At 78, Peyton Manning Mourns
Howard Mudd Legendary Colts Coach Dead At 78 ... Peyton Manning Mourns
UPDATE
3:54 PM PT -- Manning just weighed in on Mudd's death ... calling the coach "the best offensive line coach in NFL history."
UPDATE
"I would put him on that pedestal any day of the week," Manning said. "He will be missed by many. I know so many like me are grateful to have played for him."
Legendary Indianapolis Colts coach Howard Mudd -- the man responsible for getting O-linemen to block for Peyton Manning for YEARS -- died Wednesday, team owner Jim Irsay announced.
He was 78 years old.
According to Mudd's family members ... the famous NFL coach was involved in a serious accident on July 29 -- and succumbed to injuries Wednesday.
"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," Mudd's family said in a statement.
"[On Tuesday], 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."
Mudd is known as one of the league's greatest offensive line coaches ever ... he famously produced O-lines year after year in Indy that protected Manning during the Hall of Fame QB's prime.
Mudd ultimately coached for nearly 5 DECADES in the league ... and was a damn good O-lineman himself during his playing days in the 1960s.
"Rest in peace, Howard Mudd," Irsay said Wednesday. "Howard was a GREAT player during a shortened career and then became one of the game's all-time greatest offensive line coaches."
"He contributed to many different teams over 47 years in our league---but he will always be a Colt. #LoveYouHoward."
Originally published -- 2:05 PM PT
