Former Alabama and NFL quarterback allegedly attacked by wife with pliers, records state

According to court documents obtained by OutKick and Fox News Digital from the District Court of Lauderdale County, Alabama, Debra Todd, 68, was arrested after an incident on Monday at approximately 11:05 p.m. Court records state she "did intentionally cause physical injury to the victim by striking him multiple times with a pair of pliers during an argument" at their Lauderdale County home. Fox News and Yahoo Sports reported that Richard Todd suffered multiple cuts and abrasions on his arms, though he did not require medical treatment or hospitalization. Police records further state that there were two witnesses to the alleged assault. Debra Todd was booked into the Lauderdale County Jail, charged with felony second-degree assault, and her bond was set at $30,000. Police records showed she had not bonded out yet on Wednesday afternoon, as reported by Fox News and Yahoo Sports. New York Post reported that Richard Todd will turn 73 years old later this month.

Richard Todd had a notable football career playing in the NFL and at the collegiate level. Fox News and Yahoo Sports noted that he played 10 NFL seasons for the New York Jets and New Orleans Saints from the mid-1970s to the mid-1980s, and won a co-national title at the University of Alabama. According to New York Post, Fox News, and Yahoo Sports, he was selected No. 6 overall out of Alabama by the Jets in the 1976 NFL Draft, succeeding Super Bowl champion quarterback Joe Namath. During his college years, he was a three-year starting quarterback from 1972 through 1975 under coach Paul "Bear" Bryant, winning four SEC championships and the 1973 co-national title before being named first-team All-SEC as a senior.

During his time with the Jets, Richard Todd led the team to playoff appearances in 1981 and 1982. In 1982, he led Gang Green to the AFC Championship game, also known as the "Mud Bowl," where the Dolphins defeated the Jets 14-0 on a rainy, muddy field at the Orange Bowl in Miami. New York Post reported that Todd finished his career with 1,610 completions in 2,967 attempts for 20,610 yards and 124 touchdowns, along with 161 interceptions, while also rushing for 932 yards and 14 touchdowns. Fox News and Yahoo Sports cited his career totals as 20,000 passing yards and 124 touchdown passes.