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David Studdard (born November 22, 1955) is a former American professional football player. He was an offensive tackle who played in two National Football League (NFL) Super Bowls for the Denver Broncos. He also played for the National Championship in college football for the Texas Longhorns, losing all three games.

College career

Studdard played college football for the Texas Longhorns, where he was an All-Southwest Conference player. In 1977 he blocked for Heisman Trophy winner Earl Campbell, helped them win the Southwest Conference Championship, and came one win away from the National Championship. The next year, he helped them win the Sun Bowl.

Professional career

Studdard had a 10-year career with the Denver Broncos, helping them to reach back-to-back Super Bowls where he had the unenviable task of stopping pro-bowlers Lawrence Taylor and Dexter Manley. He held future Hall-of-Famer Taylor to just four tackles in Super Bowl XXI, but injured his knee in the second quarter of Super Bowl XXII, an injury reporters called "devastating" and that allowed Manley to record 1.5 sacks after Studdard left.

Studdard was selected in the ninth round of the 1978 NFL draft by the Baltimore Colts but was waived in the offseason. After sitting out the 1978 season, he was signed by Denver where he quickly became a starter and made the all-rookie team. He mostly played tackle throughout his career, lining up on both the right and left side but occasionally played guard and, in some short yardage situations, as a tight end. As a tight end, he caught 4 passes for 2 touchdowns. He was regarded as an excellent pass blocker who helped the Broncos lead the league with the fewest sacks allowed.

Studdard's Super Bowl injury spelled the beginning of the end of his career. A few days after the game, he underwent surgery to repair the torn anterior cruciate ligament and also remove some damaged cartilage from his left knee. He started the next season on the injured reserve. That season he played in only 11 games and started just 4. Before the 1989 season, he was waived.

During the 1987 NFL player's strike, Studdard was one of the first players to cross the picket line to play.

Later life and family

Studdard's son Kasey followed in his father's footsteps to play football at Texas and went on to play in the NFL for the Houston Texans.

After retiring, Studdard was involved in a players’ lawsuit over the treatment and care of concussion injuries.

References

1. "Dave Studdard Career Stats | NFL.com". www.nfl.com. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
2. "Dave Studdard Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
3. "From Blackboard To Scoreboard, Plans Work Out for Best". The Washington Post. February 2, 1988.
4. "Dave Studdard Playing Card". Retrieved April 21, 2023.
5. "Surgery For 2 Broncos". The Washington Post. February 3, 1988.
6. "Packers' Epps Ends Holdout". The Washington Post. August 31, 1988.
7. "NFL Transactions". The Washington Post. September 5, 1989.
8. "Players Crossing Picket Line". The Washington Post. October 8, 1987.
9. "Kasey Studdard Stats, News & Video - G, Tennessee Titans | NFL.com". www.nfl.com. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
10. Moss, Irv (May 1, 2016). "Colorado Classics: Former Broncos offensive lineman Dave Studdard". The Denver Post. Retrieved May 18, 2023.

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