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Saints News 5/14/13: Former Saint Chuck Muncie Dies of Heart Attack at Age 60

Muncie was selected by the Saints with the third overall pick in the first round of the 1976 NFL Draft. After being traded to the Chargers in 1980, he played until 1984 when he was abruptly suspended for the season for drug abuse. After later serving some time in prison, Muncie emerged a changed man and dedicated his life to helping and mentoring young people through his Chuck Muncie Youth Foundation. May he rest in peace.

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Tweets

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>"Big Man Running" - Chuck remembered in the Saints Hall of Honor at Saints Camp <a href="http://t.co/Fbu4O5ANCe" title="http://twitter.com/GregBensel/status/334388398431285249/photo/1">twitter.com/GregBensel/sta…</a></p>&mdash; Greg Bensel (@GregBensel) <a href="https://twitter.com/GregBensel/status/334388398431285249">May 14, 2013</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>RIP Chuck Muncie <a href="http://t.co/OUgp5ipE1i" title="http://twitter.com/SteveGellerWWL/status/334354974530215936/photo/1">twitter.com/SteveGellerWWL…</a></p>&mdash; Steve Geller (@SteveGellerWWL) <a href="https://twitter.com/SteveGellerWWL/status/334354974530215936">May 14, 2013</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>RIP Chuck Muncie. A CAL Legend and Star Saint. <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23GoBears">#GoBears</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23WhoDat">#WhoDat</a></p>&mdash; Brian de la Puente (@BriandelaPuente) <a href="https://twitter.com/BriandelaPuente/status/334385940170698752">May 14, 2013</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Saints Mourn the Passing of RB Chuck Muncie: <a href="http://t.co/2KqeXl68z6" title="http://bit.ly/13iEmWd">bit.ly/13iEmWd</a></p>&mdash; New Orleans Saints (@Saints) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saints/status/334383645584416768">May 14, 2013</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Muncie became the first Saint to break the 1,000 rushing yards mark, carrying 238 times for 1,198 yards (5.0 avg.) in 1979</p>&mdash; New Orleans Saints (@Saints) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saints/status/334384618130255872">May 14, 2013</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>I met and interacted with <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23chuckmuncie">#chuckmuncie</a> while at @<a href="https://twitter.com/ibnsports">ibnsports</a> Great man who had a wealth of wisdomvery sad to hear of his passing <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23RIPChuck">#RIPChuck</a></p>&mdash; Mike Karney (@Karney44) <a href="https://twitter.com/Karney44/status/334338341833154560">May 14, 2013</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Sad to hear about the passing of Cal legend Chuck Muncie, an ultra-talented baller who turned his life around. RIP42. <a href="http://t.co/2owOX9Y5Uu" title="http://bit.ly/16xcPHc">bit.ly/16xcPHc</a></p>&mdash; Michael Silver (@MikeSilver) <a href="https://twitter.com/MikeSilver/status/334324437463732224">May 14, 2013</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>In some ways I think Rex's <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Jets">#Jets</a> fate will be determined by Chris Ivory's health. D will be good. But must hide QB with elite running game.</p>&mdash; Evan Silva (@evansilva) <a href="https://twitter.com/evansilva/status/334375529010589697">May 14, 2013</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>No. Way. RT @<a href="https://twitter.com/ndmedica1013">ndmedica1013</a>: @<a href="https://twitter.com/larryholder">larryholder</a> With the cap situation, do you think there's any chance the Saints let Graham walk next season?</p>&mdash; Larry Holder (@LarryHolder) <a href="https://twitter.com/LarryHolder/status/334376487421636609">May 14, 2013</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>We are all products of our environment. The end product is what's important</p>&mdash; Joseph Morgan(@jmthegreat) <a href="https://twitter.com/jmthegreat/status/334355286347374592">May 14, 2013</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>If you are determined enough &amp; willing to pay the price, you can get it done. <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23DigDeep">#DigDeep</a></p>&mdash; Roman Harper (@Harp41) <a href="https://twitter.com/Harp41/status/334301747508031488">May 14, 2013</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>When @<a href="https://twitter.com/drewbrees">drewbrees</a> &amp; his wife Brittany watch a movie, they're all in: <a href="http://t.co/8CLR9q8tUE" title="http://twitter.com/Saints/status/334301368590409728/photo/1">twitter.com/Saints/status/…</a></p>&mdash; New Orleans Saints (@Saints) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saints/status/334301368590409728">May 14, 2013</a></blockquote>

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R.I.P. Chuck Muncie

Chuck Muncie, former Saints running back, passes away
Muncie was selected with the third overall pick in the first round by the New Orleans Saints in the 1976 NFL Draft. He would team with Tony Galbreath, who was chosen later in the first round, as part of the "Thunder and Lightning" tandem, nicknamed by head coach Hank Stram.

Former Saints, Chargers RB Chuck Muncie dies from heart attack | wwltv.com New Orleans
He registered six 100-yard games with New Orleans, his best a 161-yard day against Atlanta on Sept. 2, 1979. And his 1,198 yards that season made him the first 1,000-yard rusher in Saints history.

Remembering Chuck Muncie's star-crossed career with the New Orleans Saints | NOLA.com
The precocious California big man is remembered as the most talented back in Saints history.

Chuck Muncie dies at 60 | ProFootballTalk
Muncie frequently expressed his unhappiness in New Orleans, and he was traded to the Chargers during the 1980 season. Muncie was even better in San Diego than he had been in New Orleans, and his presence as a runner bolstered an already strong Chargers offense.

Ex-New Orleans Saints, San Diego Chargers RB Chuck Muncie dies at 60 - ESPN
Former NFL running back Chuck Muncie died Monday of a heart attack at the age of 60, the New Orleans Saints confirmed to multiple media outlets.

Former New Orleans Saints Running Back Chuck Muncie Dies at 60 - Who Dat Dish - A New Orleans Saints Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and more.
The New Orleans Saints family lost a great one today, as former running back Chuck Muncie passed away at the age of 60. Muncie was a bruising, physical runner who spent some of his NFL days in New Orleans before being shipped off to the San Diego Chargers.

Saints Nation: RIP Chuck Muncie
It's very sad that I've followed the Saints long enough that a lot of my long time heroes are starting to pass away. Craig "Ironhead" Heyward, Sam Mills, Frank Warren, Dave Waymer and Norman Hand are just a few that have left us way too young. Today former Saint running back Chuck Muncie died at the age of 60 from a heart attack. May he rest in peace, and God bless his family.

Former running back Chuck Muncie dies at 60
Muncie, who played for the Saints from 1976-80 and for the San Diego Chargers from 1980-84, rushed for 6,702 yards and 71 touchdowns, but his career ended in 1984, when Commissioner Pete Rozelle suspended Muncie for the remainder of the season when he tested positive for cocaine after the first regular-season game.

Former Saints star RB Chuck Muncie dead at age 60 | NOLA.com
Chuck Muncie, a three-time Pro Bowler who was the New Orleans Saints' first-round pick in 1976--but whose career was derailed by drug abuse--died Monday of a heart attack, the New Orleans Saints have confirmed. Muncie played with the Saints from 1976 through the first four games of the 1980 season before being traded to San Diego.

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Who dat talkin' 'bout dem Saints?

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New Orleans Saints guard Ben Grubbs revving up after slow start | NOLA.com
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Ranking the all-time best running back greats in New Orleans Saints history | NOLA.com
Running back Chuck Muncie had a ground-breaking career for the New Orleans Saints but where does his rank among the franchise's running backs?

Anatomy of a draft pick: A detailed look at how the New Orleans Saints scouted safety Kenny Vaccaro | NOLA.com
Saints scouting directors Rick Reiprish and Ryan Pace offer insight into team's thorough process

Saints Positional Previews: Running Backs - Who Dat Dish - A New Orleans Saints Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and more.
Some of the characteristics a Running Back has to exhibit are versatility, power, agility, blocking, and speed. The Saints running backs display all of these said characteristics. For this second installment of this multiple mini-series on Positional Previews, we’ll look at the Saints back field.

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Other NFL News

Report: Urlacher considering Vikings, Broncos | ProFootballTalk
All has been quiet on the Brian Urlacher front in the months since the Bears announced that he wouldn't be back, but he may have a couple of teams interested in his services.

LeSean McCoy sued for assault | ProFootballTalk
Browns running back Trent Richardson isn't the only tailback on the wrong side of an offseason assault lawsuit. According to CourthouseNews.com, Eagles running back LeSean McCoy has been sued for assault, too.

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Chuck Muncie Video