Monte Coleman, a mainstay of Washington’s Super Bowl teams, dead at 68

Monte Coleman, a linebacker who played for all three of Washington’s Super Bowl championship teams, has died. He was 68.

The Commanders announced his death on April 26, a post on the team’s X account stating: “We mourn the loss of one of the greatest to ever suit up in the Burgundy & Gold, Monte Coleman.

“Our heartfelt condolences are with his loved ones.”

Team owner Josh Harris offered provide further thoughts.

“Monte Coleman was one of the greatest players in Washington history,” read Harris’ 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.

“Monte will be sorely missed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Coleman family, his friends and all who knew him.”

Drafted in the 11th round from Central Arkansas in 1979, Coleman quickly became a fixture in Washington, playing all 16 of his NFL seasons for the organization. Though he wasn’t adorned with personal accolades at a time when the likes of Hall of Famers Mike Singletary, Harry Carson and Jack Lambert were among the league’s best-known off-ball linebackers, Coleman was nevertheless a linchpin of defenses that were so crucial to Washington’s success under head coach Joe Gibbs in the 1980s and early ’90s. The club played in Super Bowls 17, 18, 22 and 26 during that period, winning all but Super Bowl 18, when the underdog Los Angeles Raiders derailed them.

Coleman was a steadying presence for those teams and led the league in tackles in 1980 with 118, the first of three seasons when he hit the century mark. He finished his career in 1994 with 17 interceptions and 49½ sacks. His 215 regular-season appearances are second-most in franchise history, trailing only Coleman’s longtime teammate, Hall of Fame cornerback Darrell Green. Coleman also played in 21 playoff games, including those four Super Bowls − totaling 1½ Super Sunday sacks.

A mainstay in the Washington community, Coleman was named to the team’s Ring of Fame in 2015.

He also served as the head coach at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff from 2008 to 2017.

“Coach Coleman represented everything we strive for at UAPB excellence, integrity, and a relentless commitment to developing our student-athletes,” the school’s vice chancellor and director of athletics, 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.”

No cause of death was provided.

All NFL news on and off the field. Sign up for USA TODAY’s 4th and Monday newsletter.