Monte Coleman, Washington's 3-Time Super Bowl Winner, Dies at 68

Monte Coleman, the undrafted linebacker who walked on at a small Arkansas college and built one of the most durable careers in NFL history, died Sunday at age 68, the Washington Commanders and the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff announced. No cause of death was disclosed.

Coleman was born Nov. 4, 1957, in Pine Bluff, Ark. He walked on at Central Arkansas before Washington selected him in the 11th round of the 1979 NFL Draft — a selection that proved to be one of the most productive late-round picks in league history. He played all 16 of his NFL seasons with Washington, appearing in 215 regular-season games, second in franchise history behind Hall of Fame cornerback Darrell Green. He ranks second in franchise history in solo tackles and is a member of the team's Ring of Honor.

Coleman was part of all three of Washington's Super Bowl-winning teams, cementing a legacy that stretched from the Joe Gibbs dynasty of the 1980s into the mid-1990s.

"Monte Coleman was one of the greatest players in Washington history," Commanders controlling owner Josh Harris said in a statement. "He was one of the pillars of our championship defenses having played for all three Super Bowl-winning teams. His durability and leadership set the standard for what it meant to suit up for the Burgundy & Gold."

When Coleman retired in 1995, then-general manager Charley Casserly offered an assessment that has aged well: "He may not have invented the position of nickel linebacker. But he raised it to a level which has not been seen since."

Coleman's second act proved equally formidable. He joined the UAPB coaching staff as a linebackers coach before ascending to head coach after the 2007 season, holding the position for a decade and guiding the Golden Lions to the Southwestern Athletic Conference title in 2012.

"Coach Coleman represented everything we strive for at UAPB," UAPB athletic director Chris Robinson said. "Excellence, integrity, and a relentless commitment to developing our student-athletes. His legacy is not only written in championships and honors, but in the lives he changed every single day."

No funeral arrangements had been publicly announced as of Sunday. Coleman is survived by his legacy across two institutions and by a generation of players and coaches who learned the game through him.

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