Richard Todd (football player)
Encyclopedia
Richard Todd is a former professional American football
quarterback
for the New York Jets
and New Orleans Saints
from 1976 to 1985. Todd, along with former Jets quarterback Joe Namath
, played for the University of Alabama
's Crimson Tide
under legendary coach Paul "Bear" Bryant.
in Mobile, Alabama to the state championship in football. Individually, Todd owned the state shot-put record at the time. He then went on to play for Bear Bryant
at the University of Alabama, where he was a three year starter at quarterback. During his time at Alabama, the Crimson Tide ran the wishbone
offense. In his sophomore year, Todd shared the quarterback position with Gary Rutledge. In a game against Virginia Tech, which the Tide won 77-6, Todd was one of four backs than ran for over 100 yards. The 1973 season concluded in the Sugar Bowl
, with a 24-23 loss to Notre Dame
. In that game, Todd threw a 25 yard touchdown pass.
In 1974, injuries plagued Todd. The Tide would go on to have a rematch with Notre Dame, this time in the Orange Bowl
. Todd would throw Alabama's only touchdown in the fourth quarter and help convert two points, as the Tide lost 13-11. His college career ended in New Orleans against Penn State. Todd threw for over 200 yards, and led Alabama to its first bowl victory in 8 years. Alabama never lost an SEC game while Richard Todd was the starting quarterback.
drafted Todd in the first round of the 1976 Draft. The intention was for Todd to replace another Alabama legend, Joe Namath
. Todd stated that playing on the same team with Namath was "a dream come true." After the 1976 season Namath was released, and Todd, who was 23 years old, was named the starter.
In his first five seasons, he threw more interceptions than touchdowns and was booed by fans and the press. He is also known for an incident in which he shoved reporter Steve Serby
into a locker after Serby supported backup quarterback Matt Robinson
instead of him. In a 1980 game against the San Francisco 49ers
in which the Jets were so far behind they were never really in it, Todd set an NFL record with 42 completions by continually throwing under a prevent zone defense. (The record would stand until Drew Bledsoe
completed 45 passes in a single game during the 1994 season.) The Niners won the game 37-27; Todd finished the year with 30 interceptions as the Jets finished 4-12. Late in the 1980 season Todd's Jets hosted the winless New Orleans Saints
; Todd completed only 10 of 27 passes and was intercepted twice as the Saints grabbed a 21-20 win, their only win of the 1980 season. That year, he set an NFL record for throwing an interception in 15 games in one season.
In 1981, he led the Walt Michaels
coached Jets to their first winning record (10-5-1) since 1969, thanks in part to a defense nicknamed "New York Sack Exchange
." In the AFC Wild Card Playoff game against the Buffalo Bills
, he led a comeback after the team had fallen behind 24-0, but fell short as a late pass was intercepted near the Bills' end zone. The following year, he led the Jets back to the playoffs. New York defeated the defending AFC Champion Cincinnati Bengals 44-17, then the Los Angeles Raiders 17-14, and faced Miami in the AFC Championship Game. The game was played in the mud after the Dolphins did not cover the field during a rainstorm. Todd threw five interceptions in the game, and the Jets lost 14-0. His final year with New York saw a change at head coach. Walt Michaels was replaced with offensive coordinator Joe Walton
. The result was a 7-9 season, and Todd was traded to the New Orleans Saints
.
In New Orleans, Todd only played two seasons, as he replaced another aging, interception prone (and former Super Bowl winning) Alabama legend at quarterback, Kenny Stabler. His first year with the Saints was the worst year of his career, throwing 19 interceptions to just eleven touchdowns. 1985 saw the Saints go 5-11, which included a coaching change, and Todd losing playing time to Louisiana native Bobby Hebert
.
Todd finished his career with 1,610 of 2,967 completions for 20,610 yards and 124 touchdowns, with 161 interceptions. He also rushed for 932 yards and 14 touchdowns.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
for the New York Jets
New York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
and New Orleans Saints
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League ....
from 1976 to 1985. Todd, along with former Jets quarterback Joe Namath
Joe Namath
Joseph William "Joe" Namath , nicknamed "Broadway Joe" or "Joe Willie", is a former American football quarterback. He played college football for the University of Alabama under coach Paul "Bear" Bryant and his assistant, Howard Schnellenberger, from 1962–1964, and professional football in the...
, played for the University of Alabama
University of Alabama
The University of Alabama is a public coeducational university located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States....
's Crimson Tide
Crimson Tide
Crimson Tide may refer to:* Crimson tide, a type of algae also known as Karenia brevis* Alabama Crimson Tide, the sports teams of the University of Alabama* Crimson Tide , a 1995 American thriller...
under legendary coach Paul "Bear" Bryant.
College
In high school, Todd led Davidson High SchoolDavidson High School (Mobile, Alabama)
W. P. Davidson High School is a four-year senior high school located in Mobile, Alabama. Its first class graduated in 1963. The school operates in the Mobile County Public School System...
in Mobile, Alabama to the state championship in football. Individually, Todd owned the state shot-put record at the time. He then went on to play for Bear Bryant
Bear Bryant
Paul William "Bear" Bryant was an American college football player and coach. He was best known as the longtime head coach of the University of Alabama football team. During his 25-year tenure as Alabama's head coach, he amassed six national championships and thirteen conference championships...
at the University of Alabama, where he was a three year starter at quarterback. During his time at Alabama, the Crimson Tide ran the wishbone
Wishbone
Wishbone may refer to:* The wishbone, a Y-shaped bone found in birds* Wishbone suspension, an automobile suspension design.* Wishbone , an children's educational television show...
offense. In his sophomore year, Todd shared the quarterback position with Gary Rutledge. In a game against Virginia Tech, which the Tide won 77-6, Todd was one of four backs than ran for over 100 yards. The 1973 season concluded in the Sugar Bowl
Sugar Bowl
The Sugar Bowl is an annual American college football bowl game played in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Sugar Bowl has been played annually since January 1, 1935, and celebrated its 75th anniversary on January 2, 2009...
, with a 24-23 loss to Notre Dame
Notre Dame Fighting Irish football
Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team is the football team of the University of Notre Dame. The team is currently coached by Brian Kelly.Notre Dame competes as an Independent at the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision level, and is a founding member of the Bowl Championship Series coalition. It is an...
. In that game, Todd threw a 25 yard touchdown pass.
In 1974, injuries plagued Todd. The Tide would go on to have a rematch with Notre Dame, this time in the Orange Bowl
Orange Bowl
The Orange Bowl is an annual American college football bowl game played at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. It has been played annually since January 1, 1935 and celebrated its 75th playing on January 1, 2009...
. Todd would throw Alabama's only touchdown in the fourth quarter and help convert two points, as the Tide lost 13-11. His college career ended in New Orleans against Penn State. Todd threw for over 200 yards, and led Alabama to its first bowl victory in 8 years. Alabama never lost an SEC game while Richard Todd was the starting quarterback.
Professional career
The New York JetsNew York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
drafted Todd in the first round of the 1976 Draft. The intention was for Todd to replace another Alabama legend, Joe Namath
Joe Namath
Joseph William "Joe" Namath , nicknamed "Broadway Joe" or "Joe Willie", is a former American football quarterback. He played college football for the University of Alabama under coach Paul "Bear" Bryant and his assistant, Howard Schnellenberger, from 1962–1964, and professional football in the...
. Todd stated that playing on the same team with Namath was "a dream come true." After the 1976 season Namath was released, and Todd, who was 23 years old, was named the starter.
In his first five seasons, he threw more interceptions than touchdowns and was booed by fans and the press. He is also known for an incident in which he shoved reporter Steve Serby
Steve Serby
Steve Serby is a sports reporter who currently covers the NFL for the New York Post. Although known primarily as a New York Jets beat reporter, he has also written many columns on other NFL franchises, particularly the New York Giants...
into a locker after Serby supported backup quarterback Matt Robinson
Matt Robinson (American football)
Matthew Paul Robinson is a former professional American football player. He played quarterback for the University of Georgia. Robinson played in the National Football League from 1977-1982 for the New York Jets, the Denver Broncos, and the Buffalo Bills...
instead of him. In a 1980 game against the San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and...
in which the Jets were so far behind they were never really in it, Todd set an NFL record with 42 completions by continually throwing under a prevent zone defense. (The record would stand until Drew Bledsoe
Drew Bledsoe
Drew McQueen Bledsoe is a former football quarterback in the National Football League, best known as the starting quarterback for the New England Patriots from 1993-2001. During the 1990s, he was considered the face of the Patriots franchise...
completed 45 passes in a single game during the 1994 season.) The Niners won the game 37-27; Todd finished the year with 30 interceptions as the Jets finished 4-12. Late in the 1980 season Todd's Jets hosted the winless New Orleans Saints
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League ....
; Todd completed only 10 of 27 passes and was intercepted twice as the Saints grabbed a 21-20 win, their only win of the 1980 season. That year, he set an NFL record for throwing an interception in 15 games in one season.
In 1981, he led the Walt Michaels
Walt Michaels
Walt Michaels was a former professional football player and coach who is best remembered for his six-year tenure as head coach of the NFL's New York Jets from 1977-1982.-Collegiate and early NFL career:...
coached Jets to their first winning record (10-5-1) since 1969, thanks in part to a defense nicknamed "New York Sack Exchange
New York Sack Exchange
The New York Sack Exchange is a nickname given to the New York Jets defensive line of the early 1980s, consisting of Mark Gastineau, Joe Klecko, Marty Lyons and Abdul Salaam.-Origins:...
." In the AFC Wild Card Playoff game against the Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, he led a comeback after the team had fallen behind 24-0, but fell short as a late pass was intercepted near the Bills' end zone. The following year, he led the Jets back to the playoffs. New York defeated the defending AFC Champion Cincinnati Bengals 44-17, then the Los Angeles Raiders 17-14, and faced Miami in the AFC Championship Game. The game was played in the mud after the Dolphins did not cover the field during a rainstorm. Todd threw five interceptions in the game, and the Jets lost 14-0. His final year with New York saw a change at head coach. Walt Michaels was replaced with offensive coordinator Joe Walton
Joe Walton
Joseph Frank Walton is an American football coach and former player who is currently the head coach of Robert Morris University. Walton played eight seasons in the National Football League and served as head coach of the New York Jets for seven seasons...
. The result was a 7-9 season, and Todd was traded to the New Orleans Saints
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League ....
.
In New Orleans, Todd only played two seasons, as he replaced another aging, interception prone (and former Super Bowl winning) Alabama legend at quarterback, Kenny Stabler. His first year with the Saints was the worst year of his career, throwing 19 interceptions to just eleven touchdowns. 1985 saw the Saints go 5-11, which included a coaching change, and Todd losing playing time to Louisiana native Bobby Hebert
Bobby Hebert
Bobby Joseph Hebert Jr., is an American sportscaster who is best known as a retired Pro bowl American football quarterback of the New Orleans Saints. He played professionally in the USFL and NFL from 1983 to 1996 for the Michigan Panthers, Oakland Invaders, New Orleans Saints, and Atlanta Falcons...
.
Todd finished his career with 1,610 of 2,967 completions for 20,610 yards and 124 touchdowns, with 161 interceptions. He also rushed for 932 yards and 14 touchdowns.
See also
- List of NFL Quarterbacks who have passed for 400 or more yards
- List of NFL quarterbacks who have posted a perfect passer rating
- List of NFL quarterbacks who have posted a passer rating of zero
- List of 300-Yard Passing Games by NFL Quarterbacks
- Most consecutive starts by a quarterback (NFL)Most consecutive starts by a quarterback (NFL)This is a list of the most consecutive starts by a quarterback in the NFL. Only six quarterbacks in NFL history have been able to achieve regular season streaks of at least 100 games, with only two of those with a regular season streak of at least 200 games....