Did this guy fall off the face of the Earth ???

[LCN]

Where are they now ?

What has happened to Richard Todd ? He was one of our more accomplished alums in the NFL . I haven't even heard his name mentioned in a decade or more . I've never heard any mention of him returning to campus or attending any games . Is there some kind of rift that I've missed ?:conf3: I bet half the members on this board have no idea as to who the h--- I'm talking about .:mad2:

I was a near-infant when I was able to see him lead the Jets in a pre-season game against the Falcons . I remember where I sat more than the actual game . I probably wouldn't remember the game at all if RT hadn't been dinged up a little early in the contest . They pulled his pants down on the sideline .:conf2::redface: I was so little that I didn't know what to make of that .


Update please .:smile:


RTR !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:BigA:

 

[Pop12]

From an article posted in 1998...

Catching Up With...
New York Jets quarterback Richard Todd
Aug. 1, 1983

Posted: Tue January 6, 1998

As a teenager in Mobile, Ala., Richard Todd looked up to Joe Namath, whose path he followed first as a star quarterback at Alabama, then as the No. 1 draft pick of the New York Jets in 1976. The chance to play on the same team as his hero was, Todd said, "a dream come true." Today, his memories from 11 years in the NFL don't seem quite the stuff of dreams. "When you're younger you think football is just a fun game," he says. "Let's be honest, it's not."

Todd spent his first eight years with the Jets, and his disillusionment came early. New York released Namath after the '76 season and handed his job to the 23-year-old Todd. The fans and media in the Big Apple expected a smooth transition; when Todd threw more interceptions than touchdown passes in each of his first five seasons, he was booed brutally and bashed by the press. In '81 Todd snapped, shoving a New York Post reporter against a locker. Says Todd with a sigh, "I wish I was more patient with the media. But being a quarterback in New York isn't easy."

The next year, however, he made it look simple. He inspired Jets fans to wave TODD IS GOD signs as he led them to the playoffs, where he completed 67.3% of his throws in wins over the Cincinnati Bengals and the Los Angeles Raiders. The following week, in the AFC Championship Game against the Miami Dolphins, Todd strutted onto the rain-soaked field at the Orange Bowl thinking Super Bowl. "We were prepared," he recalls. "I was ready." Those who watched him in the Jets' 14-0 loss would say otherwise. He connected on just 15 of 37 passes for 103 yards and threw five interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown. A year later Todd was dealt to the New Orleans Saints.

For Todd, life has improved since he left the NFL. He works as a manager and salesman for Bear, Stearns & Co. in Atlanta. He and his wife, Lulu, have what Richard calls "a modern marriage," in which he keeps an apartment near the office and flies his 310 Cessna on weekends to Florence, Ala., where Lulu lives with their children, Richard, 11, Darbi, 7, and James, 2. He says he doesn't miss the game. He definitely doesn't miss the jeers. "If I could do it all over again, maybe I'd be a backup quarterback," says Todd. "Everybody likes them."

 

[derek4tide]

I saw Richard just a couple of years ago in Florence (my hometown). Gator's (Richard, Jr now in college, not 11) on the golf team doing great and so is his family. Super guy. :BigA:

 

[NJBAMAFAN77]

I just happened to be watching his first Jets game. At the time I was more of a Giants fan though but anyway he handed the ball off the first 6 plays. Later on in his carreer I realized he was the QB for BAMA during the one of the loses to Notre Dame (Orange Bowl?) However he still has a National Championship to his credit, 73' right? I can't figure out why he isn't mentioned that much in the media guide or record books. I can't think of another BAMA QB since then that has done as much as he did in the NFL (Barker?, Hollingsworth?, Walter Lewis?). Danny Woodson and David Smith are mentioned more in the BAMA record books! Did Richard do something wrong?

Correct me if I'm wrong but At Bama he won 3 letters, played in three bowl games, won a National Championship, then went to the NFL and was a starter for over 10 years. Jeff Rutledge got 3 letters also went right to the NFL, played for 14 years, in 3 super Bowls (2 rings) but only started 1 game (I think). Go figure.

I also watched that AFC title game against the Dolphins. Between both teams how many BAMA players were there? 6? 8?

When he first got into the securities business it was in the mid 80s in Northern New Jersey before he got traded and then he moved out of this area. Over the last 15 years, you're right, we haven't seen much of that number 14 in and around BAMA football. Was he in attendance at the Hawaii game? They said that over 600 former players were at the stadium, I know, because they were all staying at the two Hampton Inns in Tuscalloosa! I tried getting a room there a year in advance but no luck. I've seen more of the Snake, Namath,
Andrew Zow, Barker, Kitchens, and Mike Shula and all 4 of the last have zero NFL expirience!

Maybe he and Shula are emailing a little.

 

[cooleddie]

From an article posted in 1998...

The following week, in the AFC Championship Game against the Miami Dolphins, Todd strutted onto the rain-soaked field at the Orange Bowl thinking Super Bowl. "We were prepared," he recalls. "I was ready." Those who watched him in the Jets' 14-0 loss would say otherwise. He connected on just 15 of 37 passes for 103 yards and threw five interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown.

I was six years old when that game was played and I remember it being the game that made me a lifelong Dolphins fan. I can still recall the Dolphins LB, A.J. Duhe #77, who made the interception that was returned for a TD. He had three interceptions in that game. It's funny how that kind of stuff will stick out in your mind.

 

[CrimsonTusk]

I saw Richard just a couple of years ago in Florence (my hometown). Gator's (Richard, Jr now in college, not 11) on the golf team doing great and so is his family. Super guy. :BigA:

Saw Gator a couple years ago just before he went to Bama that fall... very polite kid. Hes gonna be a goodun...
And i think the Todds still live in the big white house on old huntsville rd..... in florence....

 

[JoeWilly12]

they still live there. i am friends with the family and all is well with the todd's.

 

[LCN]

I just happened to be watching his first Jets game. At the time I was more of a Giants fan though but anyway he handed the ball off the first 6 plays. Later on in his carreer I realized he was the QB for BAMA during the one of the loses to Notre Dame (Orange Bowl?) However he still has a National Championship to his credit, 73' right? I can't figure out why he isn't mentioned that much in the media guide or record books. I can't think of another BAMA QB since then that has done as much as he did in the NFL (Barker?, Hollingsworth?, Walter Lewis?). Danny Woodson and David Smith are mentioned more in the BAMA record books! Did Richard do something wrong?

Correct me if I'm wrong but At Bama he won 3 letters, played in three bowl games, won a National Championship, then went to the NFL and was a starter for over 10 years. Jeff Rutledge got 3 letters also went right to the NFL, played for 14 years, in 3 super Bowls (2 rings) but only started 1 game (I think). Go figure.

I also watched that AFC title game against the Dolphins. Between both teams how many BAMA players were there? 6? 8?

When he first got into the securities business it was in the mid 80s in Northern New Jersey before he got traded and then he moved out of this area. Over the last 15 years, you're right, we haven't seen much of that number 14 in and around BAMA football. Was he in attendance at the Hawaii game? They said that over 600 former players were at the stadium, I know, because they were all staying at the two Hampton Inns in Tuscalloosa! I tried getting a room there a year in advance but no luck. I've seen more of the Snake, Namath,
Andrew Zow, Barker, Kitchens, and Mike Shula and all 4 of the last have zero NFL expirience!

Maybe he and Shula are emailing a little.

I believe it was actually 5 or 6 . Sounds crazy but , JR was the answer to a trivia question for about 15 years . Long enough for us to use the question for on-air prizes 3-4 times . Later , when I wake back up , I'll check it out and post the actual question and answer . It's a record that was tied or broken within the past ten years . Some # that's really hard to believe .:smile: And yes , JR had the Monday night start and bombed . I believe that was the only chance he was given .


RTR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Bama323]

I used to live in the neighborhood adjacent to Richard Todd's Property when I was a kid. Every now and then we'd see him walking down the trail behind our house. His wife's father owns a great deal of property in Florence, AL, which is located on the Tennessee River.

 

[CrimsonJag]

He and his wife, Lulu...

I never knew he was married to Lulu. Did she leave the big, fat feller from Tennessee?

 

[cbi1972]

I've seen more of the Snake, Namath,
Andrew Zow, Barker, Kitchens, and Mike Shula and all 4 of the last have zero NFL expirience!

Mike Shula was drafted 313th by the Buccaneers in 1987.
Jay Barker was drafted 160th by the Packers in 1995.

 

[DeaconBlues]

From an article posted in 1998...



For Todd, life has improved since he left the NFL. He works as a manager and salesman for Bear, Stearns & Co. in Atlanta. He and his wife, Lulu, have what Richard calls "a modern marriage," in which he keeps an apartment near the office and flies his 310 Cessna on weekends to Florence, Ala., where Lulu lives with their children, Richard, 11, Darbi, 7, and James, 2. He says he doesn't miss the game. He definitely doesn't miss the jeers. "If I could do it all over again, maybe I'd be a backup quarterback," says Todd. "Everybody likes them."

In late '93, I left Muscle Shoals, where I was the Director of Maintenance
for the Aviation Department owned by Mr. Todd's family by marriage.

Yep, it's true that he commuted almost weekly from Muscle Shoals to Peachtree-DeKalb Airport and back. Sure enough, in a Cessna 310R.
He always brought the 310 (and himself) back home in reusable condition.
(aviation pun...)

It was a pleasure to help and see him off on Monday mornings, and to see him back home on Fridays. Occasionally, he'd offer to bring me back some beer or such.

His son is Gator. I understand he's under scholarship on the UA Golf Team? ........cool!

I knew of Darby Lou when she was 1, 2, 3-years old.

LuLu (Mrs. Todd) was always nice to me.

Nice folks,...all of them!

Hey Richard, if you're reading this, thanks again for those 'Bama-Auburn tickets in '92! And I'm still on and around the Nashville Airport. Look me up!

Mark Griffin

 

[LCN]

I believe it was actually 5 or 6 . Sounds crazy but , JR was the answer to a trivia question for about 15 years . Long enough for us to use the question for on-air prizes 3-4 times . Later , when I wake back up , I'll check it out and post the actual question and answer . It's a record that was tied or broken within the past ten years . Some # that's really hard to believe .:smile: And yes , JR had the Monday night start and bombed . I believe that was the only chance he was given .


RTR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I had my facts a little mixed up . It was Cornelius Bennett with 5 SB trips . 4 w/Buffalo , 1 w/Atl . There are others with 5 trips but , Mike Lodish was who ended up passing him with 6 . How could I mix up CB and JR ???:conf3:


RTR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:tongue:

 

[TommyMac]

I seem to remember that Todd was a shot putter in HS. Pretty unusual for a QB.

 

[gpmmp75]

I saw Richard just a couple of years ago in Florence (my hometown). Gator's (Richard, Jr now in college, not 11) on the golf team doing great and so is his family. Super guy. :BigA:

HuntsvilleTider, your right his son is on golf team. My son attends UofA also and called me from school one night and said you would not believe who I am shooting pool with and it was Richard had a nice talk. We were good friends in those early 70 years. They where at his sons home Ttown. Richard, told me all was great with his life and family. That was few months ago. Also read someone saying he was shot putter and he was plus he won the state championship in highschool in this event. He was a true hoss QB when came to Bama. Richard was the type size of Teabow, maybe even a little bigger. Great man.

RTR