Richard Todd (football player)

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Richard Todd
Date of birth November 19, 1953
Place of birth Flag of United States Birmingham, Alabama
Position(s) Quarterback
College Alabama
NFL Draft 1976 / Round 1/ Pick 6
Stats
Statistics
Team(s)
1976-1983
1984-1985
New York Jets
New Orleans Saints

Richard Todd (born November 19, 1953 in Birmingham, Alabama) 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 1981, he led the Walt Michaels coached Jets to their first winning record (10-5-1) since 1969. In the AFC Wild Card Playoffs, he valiantly brought the Jets back from a 24-0 deficit, but fell short as a late intended touchdown pass was intercepted by the Buffalo Bills' Bill Simpson with 10 seconds left killed the Jets chances for a victory as the Jets lost to the Bills, 31-27.

The next year, he led the Jets to the AFC Championship Game against the Miami Dolphins, but lost. The game was played in the mud after the Dolphins refused to cover the field during a rainstorm.

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. In a 1980 game against the San Francisco 49ers, Todd set an NFL record with 42 completions. This would stand until Drew Bledsoe completed 45 passes in a single game during the 1994 season.

He is also known for the infamous locker stuffing incident with reporter Steve Serby.

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