Monte Coleman, who won three Super Bowls while playing linebacker his entire NFL career for the Washington franchise, died on Sunday. He was 68.
A cause of death was not given in announcements by the Washington Commanders as well as by Arkansas Pine Bluff, where Coleman was head coach at his hometown university from 2008-17 and was 40-71. The Golden Lions won the Southwestern Athletic Conference title in 2012 as well as the Boxtorow HBCU Division I coaches’ national championship.
“Coach Coleman represented everything we strive for at UAPB — excellence, integrity, and a relentless commitment to developing our student-athletes,” UAPB athletic director Chris Robinson said in a statement. “His legacy is not only written in championships and honors, but in the lives he changed every single day.”
The first player drafted from Central Arkansas, Coleman went to Washington in the 11th round of the 1979 NFL Draft, which was 12 rounds at the time.
He played 16 seasons, all for Washington, and totaled 1,002 tackles (999 solo), 49.5 sacks, 17 interceptions (three returned for touchdowns), 13 forced fumbles and 14 fumble recoveries in 215 regular-season games (62 starts) from 1979-94.
Coleman also played in 21 playoff games (five starts) and recorded five tackles, 4.5 sacks and two interceptions.
Washington won Super Bowl championships in 1982, 1987 and 1991 and played in the 1983 game.
“Monte Coleman was one of the greatest players in Washington history,” Commanders 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.”
Coleman ranks second in franchise history in total games played and solo tackles, and sixth in sacks.
He was inducted into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame in 1998 and Washington’s Ring of Fame in 2015.
“That was one of the greatest accolades I’ve ever received,” Coleman said of his Washington honor. “To be listed among those players, I will always cherish that. That means a whole lot to me.”
Coleman is survived by his wife of 43 years Yvette and his children Jasmine, Kyndall, Kyle, Corey and Londie.
–Field Level Media
