Charger great Chuck Muncie dead of heart attack at 60

A memorial service for Chuck Muncie, 60, was held in Point Loma on Saturday May 25, 2013. Attending were family and friends of the superb running back from the team’s Air Coryell years, as well as the members of the public that adored the good-sized (6’2″, 225) yet elegant player. Muncie died of a heart attack two weeks ago, in early May, 2013.

Harry Vance Muncie played his college ball in Berkeley, California, as a member of the California Golden Bears. Many of the records he set there still stand, and in 1975, after his senior season, he finished second in the balloting for the Heisman Trophy. Taken by the Saints with their first pick in the 1975 NFL draft, Muncie was the first member of the New Orleans team ever selected to the Pro Bowl. He was traded to the Chargers in 1980 and was a standout, becoming one of the star running backs in the league. Chuck was selected to the Pro Bowl, the NFL’s all-star game, three times. In the 110 games of his career, he ran for 6,702 yards and scored 71 touchdown on the ground. In a poll conducted in 2009, he was considered to be one of the 50 greatest San Diego Chargers ever.

The Chargers released the following statement: “Everyone at the Chargers is deeply saddened by the passing of Chuck Muncie, one of the greatest running backs in Chargers history. We will remember him as a tremendous athlete with a larger-than-life personality. It’s a sad day for all of us and all Chargers fans.”

Several years after a positive test for cocaine ended his football career, he lost his freedom for a year and a half, convicted of trying to sell the drug to a friend. However, Chuck Muncie used the lesson he had learned from his mistake to found the Chuck Muncie Youth Foundation that continues to guide young people away from making such mistakes themselves.