Former Jets quarterback Richard Todd’s wife, Debra Todd, was arrested and charged with domestic violence after allegedly hitting him with a pair of pliers during an argument at their Lauderdale County home on Monday night, according to court documents obtained by 48 News.
Richard, 72, had multiple cuts on his arms, per the documents.
He reportedly declined to go to the hospital.
Debra, 68, is being held in the Lauderdale County Jail on a $30,000 bond.
It’s unclear if she sustained any injuries.
Richard was selected No. 6 overall out of Alabama by the Jets in the 1976 NFL Draft, and succeeded Super Bowl champion quarterback Joe Namath.
Richard played nine seasons with Gang Green from 1976-1983 and 1986.
He played for the Saints from 1984-85.
Richard’s best seasons with the Jets were in 1981 and ’82, when they went 18-10-1 including the postseason. He led Gang Green to the 1982 AFC Championship game — also known as the “Mud Bowl,” in which the Dolphins defeated the Jets 14-0 on a rainy, muddy field at the Orange Bowl in Miami.
During a 2022 interview, Richard explained what he remembered most about his first eight pro seasons as a Jet.
“I wish we’d’ve done better,” he said at the time, recalling that “muddy, nasty day” in Miami. “The championship game. ‘The Mud Bowl.’ I threw five interceptions, and if they could’ve caught the ball, they could’ve had 10.
“We had a great defense, and that Miami game our defense played their hearts out. It wasn’t really a day to throw the ball. But we had a great team — the Sack Exchange, [Joe] Klecko and [Mark] Gastineau and Abdul Salaam and Marty [Lyons]. And we had Wesley Walker, Jerome Barkum, Freeman McNeil, Bruce Harper.”
Todd finished his career with 1,610 completions in 2,967 attempts for 20,610 yards and 124 touchdowns, with 161 interceptions. He also rushed for 932 yards and 14 touchdowns.
