Late-night domestic arrest: Former NFL quarterback injured in altercation at Florence residence
Debra Darby Todd, the 68-year-old wife of former University of Alabama legend and New York Jets starting quarterback Richard Todd, has been arrested and charged with felony domestic violence assault after allegedly attacking her husband with a pair of pliers during a dispute at their Alabama residence, court documents and local law enforcement confirmed Wednesday.
The incident occurred late Monday evening, November 9, 2026, at the couple's home in Florence, located in northwestern Alabama's Lauderdale County. According to incident reports from the Florence Police Department, patrol units were dispatched to the residence at approximately 11:05 p.m. following an emergency 911 call reporting an active domestic disturbance.
Arriving officers discovered 72-year-old Richard Todd suffering from visible physical trauma, including multiple bleeding lacerations, puncture marks, and severe contusions across both of his forearms and hands. Investigators reported that an intense verbal altercation between the spouses had turned violent when Debra Todd allegedly seized a pair of heavy metal pliers and struck him repeatedly as he raised his arms defensively.
Former Crimson Tide star evaluates injuries on scene and declines hospitalization
Emergency medical personnel from Lauderdale County EMS evaluated Richard Todd at the scene. Paramedics treated and bandaged his arm lacerations on site. Officials noted that although the wounds were painful and bleeding heavily, Todd declined ambulance transport to North Alabama Medical Center, opting to recuperate at home.
Debra Todd was taken into custody without further resistance and transported to the Lauderdale County Detention Center in Florence. Booking records indicate she was formally charged with second-degree domestic violence assault, a Class B felony under Alabama law carrying significant potential prison time upon conviction.
A Lauderdale County district magistrate set Debra Todd's appearance bond at $30,000. Under Alabama judicial procedure, an arrest and charge represent formal allegations, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. Attorneys representing Debra Todd have not yet issued a public statement on the charges.
A storied football career from Bear Bryant's Crimson Tide to Broadway
Richard Todd holds an enduring place in both collegiate and professional football history. Playing under iconic head coach Paul "Bear" Bryant at the University of Alabama from 1973 to 1975, Todd quarterbacked the Crimson Tide through three consecutive SEC championship campaigns, capped by an MVP performance in the 1975 Sugar Bowl.
Drafted sixth overall by the New York Jets in the first round of the 1976 NFL Draft, Todd was famously tasked with succeeding franchise icon Joe Namath. Todd spent eight seasons as the Jets' starting signal-caller, throwing for more than 18,000 yards and guiding New York to the AFC Championship Game during the strike-shortened 1982 season.
Todd concluded his 10-year NFL career with the New Orleans Saints in 1985 before retiring to his native Alabama, where he worked as an investment broker and local civic advocate in the Shoals area. News of the domestic dispute shocked longtime sports fans and neighbors across the Lauderdale County community.
