View source for Chuck Muncie

{{Short description|American football player (1953–2013)}}
{{Use American English|date=December 2019}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name        = Chuck Muncie
| image       = Chuck Muncie at Cal 10-25-08 01.JPG
| image_size  =
| alt         = 
| caption     = Muncie in 2008
| number      = 42, 46
| position    = [[Running back]]
| birth_date  = {{Birth date|1953|3|17}}
| birth_place = [[Uniontown, Pennsylvania]], U.S.
| death_date  = {{death date and age|2013|5|13|1953|3|17}}
| death_place = [[Perris, California]], U.S.
| height_ft   = 6
| height_in   = 3
| weight_lb   = 227
| high_school = [[Uniontown Area High School|Uniontown]]
| college     = [[Arizona Western Matadors football|Arizona Western]] (1972) <br> [[California Golden Bears football|California]] (1973–1975)
| draftyear   = 1976
| draftround  = 1
| draftpick   = 3
| pastteams   =
* [[New Orleans Saints]] ({{NFL Year|1976|1980}})
* [[San Diego Chargers]] ({{NFL Year|1980|1984}})
| highlights  =
* 3× [[Pro Bowl]] ([[1980 Pro Bowl|1979]], [[1982 Pro Bowl|1981]], [[1983 Pro Bowl|1982]])
* [[List of NFL annual rushing touchdowns leaders|NFL rushing touchdowns leader]] (1981)
* [[Pro Football Writers of America NFL All-Rookie Team|PFWA All-Rookie Team]] ([[Pro Football Writers of America NFL All-Rookie Team#1976|1976]])
* [[San Diego Chargers 50th Anniversary Team]]
* [[San Diego Chargers 40th Anniversary Team]]
* Consensus [[College Football All-America Team|All-American]] ([[1975 College Football All-America Team|1975]])
* [[Pac-12 Conference football individual awards#Player of the Year|Pac-8 Player of the Year]] (1975)
* [[Pop Warner Trophy]] (1975)
* 2× First-team [[List of All-Pac-12 Conference football teams|All-Pac-8]] ([[1974 All-Pacific-8 Conference football team|1974]], [[1975 All-Pacific-8 Conference football team|1975]])
* Second-team All-Pac-8 ([[1973 All-Pacific-8 Conference football team|1973]])
| statlabel1  = Rushing yards
| statvalue1  = 6,702
| statlabel2  = Rushing average
| statvalue2  = 4.3
| statlabel3  = Rushing [[touchdown]]s
| statvalue3  = 71
| statlabel4  = [[Reception (gridiron football)|Receptions]]
| statvalue4  = 263
| statlabel5  = Receiving yards
| statvalue5  = 2,323
| statlabel6  = Receiving touchdowns
| statvalue6  = 3
| pfr         = MuncCh00 
}}

'''Harry Vance''' "'''Chuck'''" '''Muncie''' (March 17, 1953 − May 13, 2013)<ref name=goldstein/> was an American professional [[American football|football]] player who was a [[running back]] for the [[New Orleans Saints]] and [[San Diego Chargers]] in the [[National Football League]] (NFL) from 1976 to 1984. He was selected to the [[Pro Bowl]] three times, and tied the then-NFL season record for rushing [[touchdown]]s in 1981.

Muncie played [[college football]] for the [[California Golden Bears football|California Golden Bears]], setting numerous school records.  In his [[senior (education)|senior]] year, he was the runner-up for the [[Heisman Trophy]], given annually to the most outstanding college football player. Muncie was selected by the Saints in the first round of the [[1976 NFL draft]] with the third overall pick. He became the first member of the Saints to be named to a Pro Bowl, and he was their first player to rush for 1,000 yards. He was traded to San Diego in 1980, starring in their high-scoring offense known as [[Air Coryell]] while being named to two additional Pro Bowls.

Muncie was considered one of the best running backs of his era until [[cocaine]] problems forced him into retirement. His drug problems eventually landed him in prison.  Afterwards, he turned his life around by helping others through mentoring programs. He founded the Chuck Muncie Youth Foundation.

==Early life==
Muncie was born and raised in the [[Pittsburgh]] area town of [[Uniontown, Pennsylvania]], as one of six children in a football-playing family.<ref name=suarez>{{cite news|last=Suarez|first=Leo|title=Muncie arrives, says 'Just hand me the ball'|date=September 14, 1984|newspaper=The Miami News|pages=1A, 4A|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=JgQtAAAAIBAJ&sjid=dQEGAAAAIBAJ&pg=2760%2C3741034|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130616091415/http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=JgQtAAAAIBAJ&sjid=dQEGAAAAIBAJ&pg=2760,3741034|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 16, 2013|access-date=May 18, 2013}}</ref><ref name=hunter/> His three brothers called him "Chuck" because they did not like "Harry".<ref name=oldermann/> When he was six, Muncie was hit by a truck, breaking his thigh, leg, hip, and arm. He was in a cast from his neck to his toes for six months, and doctors warned that he might never be able to walk properly again.<ref>{{cite news|last=Granberry|first=Mike|title=Muncie Out to Shake Bad Image in Super Setting|date=January 11, 1981|newspaper=The Blade|location=Toledo, Ohio|page=C3|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1350&dat=19810111&id=8zBPAAAAIBAJ&sjid=lwIEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4898,7105665|access-date=May 16, 2013}}</ref> Muncie recovered to become a multi-sport athlete, but the accident left his left leg shorter than his right. He compensated by playing with a shoe with an extra-thick sole.<ref name=goldstein>{{cite news|last=Goldstein|first=Richard|title=Chuck Muncie, Troubled N.F.L. Star, Dies at 60|date=May 14, 2013|newspaper=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/15/sports/football/chuck-muncie-troubled-nfl-star-dies-at-60.html?_r=0|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160521162056/http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/15/sports/football/chuck-muncie-troubled-nfl-star-dies-at-60.html?_r=0|archive-date=May 21, 2016|url-status=dead|access-date=February 6, 2017}}</ref>

With Muncie's father disabled, Muncie's mother led the household and ensured that her kids were educated.<ref name=suarez/> After seeing many of his relatives suffer from [[black lung disease]] and severe burns, Muncie had no desire to work in coal mines or the [[steel mill]]s. He viewed athletics as his way out of Uniontown.<ref name=suarez/><ref name=hunter/> In his [[sophomore]] year at [[Uniontown Area High School]], Muncie played football.<ref name=hunter/> However, he quit playing after three games during his senior year when he suffered a [[concussion]] and his mother wanted him to stop playing.<ref name=zeise/> He turned to [[basketball]], averaging 18 [[Point (basketball)|points]] per game for the Uniontown Red Raiders and earning an [[athletic scholarship]] to play basketball for [[Arizona Western College|Arizona Western Junior College (now Arizona Western College)]].<ref name=suarez/><ref name=zeise/>

==College career==
While at Arizona Western, the football coach convinced Muncie to try out for football as well, and Muncie made the team. He never played basketball for the school, and he received a scholarship from the [[University of California, Berkeley]] after one year.<ref name=zeise>{{cite news |last=Zeise |first=Paul |title=Obituary: Chuck Muncie / Uniontown native and NFL great |date=May 15, 2013 |newspaper=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |url=http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/obituaries/obituary-chuck-muncie-uniontown-native-and-nfl-great-687668/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130515044125/http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/obituaries/obituary-chuck-muncie-uniontown-native-and-nfl-great-687668/ |archive-date=May 15, 2013 |url-status=dead |access-date=May 15, 2013 }}</ref>

At [[Berkeley, California|Berkeley]], Muncie was a star running back for the [[California Golden Bears football|California Golden Bears]] during the 1970s. He was big, fast and elusive, and was a good receiver.  He was instrumental in Cal's NCAA-leading offense which propelled the team to the co-championship of the [[Pacific-8 Conference|Pac-8]] in [[1975 California Golden Bears football team|1975]], and he became the first Golden Bear to appear on the cover of ''[[Sports Illustrated]]''.<ref name=hunter/> Muncie set then-school single-season records for rushing yards (1,460), [[all-purpose yards]] (1,871), and rushing touchdowns (13).<ref group=lower-alpha>The rushing and all-purpose records stood for 29 years, while the touchdown mark lasted 16.</ref><ref name=dies_cal>{{cite web |title=Cal Great Chuck Muncie Passes Away |date=May 14, 2013 |work=CalBears.com |url=http://www.calbears.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/051413aaa.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130616091424/http://www.calbears.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/051413aaa.html |archive-date=June 16, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> He was a runner-up for the [[Heisman Trophy]] behind two-time winner [[Archie Griffin]] of [[Ohio State]].<ref name=goldstein/> Muncie outrushed and outscored Griffin (1,357 yards and four touchdowns), but Ohio State was 11–0 and ranked No. 1 at the time.<ref>{{cite news|last=Wieberg |first=Steve |title=Heisman winner White shuns encore pressure |date=September 2, 2004 |newspaper=USA Today |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/big12/2004-09-02-oklahoma-white_x.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220620023738/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/big12/2004-09-02-oklahoma-white_x.htm |archive-date=June 20, 2022 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=An In-Depth Look at Archie Griffin's Repeat |date=August 12, 2009 |work=HeismanPundit.com |url=http://heismanpundit.com/2009/08/12/an-in-depth-look-at-archie-griffins-repeat/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131129082654/http://heismanpundit.com/2009/08/12/an-in-depth-look-at-archie-griffins-repeat/ |archive-date=November 29, 2013 |url-status=dead |access-date=May 18, 2013 }}</ref> Muncie was awarded the 1975 [[W.J. Voit Memorial Trophy]] as the outstanding football player on the Pacific Coast. He finished his college career with then-school career records for rushing yards (3,052), rushing touchdowns (32), 100-yard rushing games (15) and all-purpose yards (4,194).<ref group=lower-alpha>At the time of his death (through the [[2012 California Golden Bears football team|2012 season]]), Muncie still ranked among leaders in rushing yards (fifth), rushing touchdowns (second), 100-yard rushing games (tied for second), and all-purpose yards (fourth).</ref><ref name=dies_cal/>

In his senior year in 1976, Muncie began using cocaine.<ref name=nyt_interview>{{cite news|title=Muncie Interview Details Drug Abuse|date=July 3, 1982|newspaper=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1982/07/03/sports/muncie-interview-details-drug-abuse.html|access-date=May 17, 2013}}{{subscription required}}</ref> He graduated from Berkeley with a [[Bachelor of Arts]] degree in social studies with a minor in business.<ref name=hunter>{{cite news |last=Hunter |first=D. Lyn |title=Chuck Muncie |date=Summer 1999 |magazine=Berkeley Magazine |url=http://www.berkeley.edu/news/magazine/summer_99/feature_alumni_muncie.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051126112804/http://www.berkeley.edu/news/magazine/summer_99/feature_alumni_muncie.html |archive-date=November 26, 2005 |url-status=dead |access-date=January 17, 2006 }}</ref> Muncie was inducted into the Cal Athletic Hall of Fame in 1995.<ref name=dies_cal/>

==Professional career==

===New Orleans Saints===
Muncie was selected by the [[New Orleans Saints]] in the first round of the [[1976 NFL draft]] with the third overall pick. He teamed with Saints' second round pick [[Tony Galbreath]] to form a  backfield dubbed by then-coach [[Hank Stram]] as "Thunder and Lightning".<ref name=martel>{{cite news|last=Martel|first=Brett|title=Former Saints, Chargers RB Chuck Muncie dead at 60|date=May 14, 2013|work=TheLedger.com|agency=Associated Press|url=http://www.theledger.com/article/20130514/APS/1305140944?p=all&tc=pgall|archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6GiaKW0hE?url=http://www.theledger.com/article/20130514/APS/1305140944?p=all&tc=pgall|archive-date=May 18, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>

Muncie played in the [[Pro Bowl]] after the [[1979 New Orleans Saints season|1979 season]] with the Saints and was selected as the Most Valuable Player of the game. He was the first Saints player named to the Pro Bowl and also was the first Saints player ever to reach the 1,000-yard rushing plateau when he ran for a then-team record of 1,198 yards in 1979.<ref name=goldstein/> Coming from the tolerant environment in Berkeley, it was a culture shock for Muncie in New Orleans, where his house and car were regularly vandalized by racists despite his living in a nice neighborhood.<ref name=hunter/> He frequently expressed his unhappiness in New Orleans.<ref>{{cite news|last=Smith|first=Michael David|title=Chuck Muncie dies at 60|date=May 14, 2013|work=NBCSports.com|url=http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/05/14/chuck-muncie-dies-at-60/|access-date=May 18, 2013}}</ref> Saints coach [[Dick Nolan (American football)|Dick Nolan]] grew tired of Muncie being late for meetings and practices. After the Saints began the [[1980 New Orleans Saints season|1980 season]] with an 0–4 record, they traded Muncie to the 4–0 [[1980 San Diego Chargers season|San Diego Chargers]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Wallace|first=William N.|title=Muncie Not a Saint Anymore After Being Sent To The Chargers|date=September 30, 1980|newspaper=Ocala Star-Banner|page=4B|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=AZ5PAAAAIBAJ&sjid=pgUEAAAAIBAJ&dq=chuck%20muncie%20saints%20trade&pg=2137%2C8031592|access-date=May 18, 2013}}</ref>

===San Diego Chargers===
[[File:Chuck Muncie SD.jpg|thumb|upright|left|Muncie with the [[San Diego Chargers]] {{circa}} 1981]]
With the Chargers, Muncie was selected for the Pro Bowl twice as a member of their high-scoring [[Air Coryell]] offense.<ref>{{cite news |last=Williamson |first=Bill |title=Chuck Muncie was a memorable Charger |date=May 14, 2013 |work=ESPN.com |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/afcwest/post/_/id/58324/chuck-muncie-was-a-memorable-charger |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130608223626/http://espn.go.com/blog/afcwest/post/_/id/58324/chuck-muncie-was-a-memorable-charger |archive-date=June 8, 2013 |url-status=live |access-date=May 16, 2013 }}</ref> He also appeared on the cover of ''Sports Illustrated'' two additional times during the [[NFL Playoffs]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Quindt|first=Fritz|title=Bolts put the whammy on Sports Illustrated hex|date=September 6, 1993|newspaper=The San Diego Union-Tribune|page=D2|quote=Chuck Muncie graced covers twice as a Charger – on Jan. 13, 1981, busting the Bills defense in a playoff, and on Jan. 17, 1993, breaking Steelers playoff tackles.}}</ref> He enjoyed his best season in [[1981 San Diego Chargers season|1981]], when he ran for 1,144 yards and 19 touchdowns, tying the then-NFL season record for rushing touchdowns.{{#tag:ref|He tied the record held by [[Jim Taylor (fullback)|Jim Taylor]] and [[Earl Campbell]].  [[John Riggins]] broke the record with 24 in 1983.<ref>{{cite news|title=Riggins Receives Bell Award|date=January 13, 1984|newspaper=Schenectady Gazette|page=22|agency=UPI|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1917&dat=19840113&id=ZhEhAAAAIBAJ&sjid=JXQFAAAAIBAJ&pg=2337,2958237|access-date=May 18, 2013}}</ref>|group=lower-alpha}}<ref name=dies_espn>{{cite news |title=Chuck Muncie dies at age 60 |date=May 14, 2013 |work=ESPN.com |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/9274307/ex-new-orleans-saints-san-diego-chargers-rb-chuck-muncie-dies-60 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130608083520/http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/9274307/ex-new-orleans-saints-san-diego-chargers-rb-chuck-muncie-dies-60 |archive-date=June 8, 2013 |url-status=live |access-date=May 16, 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=AFC West |date=September 1, 1982 |magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]] |url=http://cnnsi.printthis.clickability.com/pt/cpt?expire=&title=Afc%20West%20-%2009.01.82%20-%20SI%20Vault&urlID=414712032&action=cpt&partnerID=289881&fb=Y&url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1125870/2/index.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190709040123/http://cnnsi.printthis.clickability.com/pt/cpt?expire=&title=Afc%20West%20-%2009.01.82%20-%20SI%20Vault&urlID=414712032&action=cpt&partnerID=289881&fb=Y&url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1125870/2/index.htm |archive-date=July 9, 2019 |url-status=dead |access-date=July 13, 2021 }}</ref> He went on to rush for 120 yards and a touchdown in San Diego's 41–38 win over the [[Miami Dolphins]] in a famous playoff game known as [[The Epic in Miami]], and 94 yards in the AFC title game, known as the [[Freezer Bowl]]. Muncie also helped lead the team to two [[AFC West]] division championships.

After the [[1982 San Diego Chargers season|1982 season]], former New Orleans teammate [[Don Reese]] said he used cocaine with Muncie during their time with the Saints.<ref name=nyt_interview/><ref name=reese/> Muncie said that he had cut down on his cocaine since his trade to San Diego. He admitted he still had a problem with alcohol and [[marijuana]], and he underwent an initial round of rehabilitation.<ref name=nyt_interview/> However, after missing a bed check and a practice during training camp, he underwent three weeks of additional rehabilitation, and returned for the start of the [[1983 San Diego Chargers season|1983 season]].<ref>{{cite news |title=SPORTS PEOPLE; Muncie Rejoins Team |date=September 2, 1982 |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1982/09/02/sports/sports-people-muncie-rejoins-team.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819134914/http://www.nytimes.com/1982/09/02/sports/sports-people-muncie-rejoins-team.html |archive-date=August 19, 2016 |url-status=dead |access-date=February 6, 2017 }}</ref> Before the second game of [[1984 San Diego Chargers season|1984]] against the [[Seattle Seahawks]], Muncie missed the team's charter flight from San Diego. When he arrived in Seattle, he told coach [[Don Coryell]] that vandals slashed the tires on his car. Coryell didn't believe him, and sent him back to San Diego.<ref name=cobbs>{{cite news |last=Cobbs |first=Chris |title=Spanos' Decision Puzzles Attorney : Klevan Expects a Clean Bill of Health for Chuck Muncie |date=March 29, 1985 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-03-29-sp-20491-story.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180521112147/http://articles.latimes.com/1985-03-29/sports/sp-20491_1_clean-bill |archive-date=May 21, 2018 |url-status=live |access-date=November 24, 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=MaGee|first=Jerry|title=Seahawks pick off Chargers Eight turnovers aid Seattle in 31–17 win|date=September 10, 1984|newspaper=The San Diego Union|page=C1}}</ref>

Two days later, Muncie was traded to the [[Miami Dolphins]] for a second-round draft pick.<ref name=cobbs/><ref>{{cite news|last=MaGee|first=Jerry|title=Chargers ship Muncie for Miami draft pick|date=September 11, 1984|newspaper=The San Diego Union|page=C1}}</ref> At the time, he was the NFL's 13th leading rusher of all-time with 6,702 yards;<ref name=suarez/> however, the trade was voided after a [[urinalysis]] conducted by the Dolphins showed cocaine in his system.<ref name=cobbs/><ref name=retires_lat/> Afterwards, Muncie entered an Arizona drug rehabilitation center for a month.  On November 15, he was suspended indefinitely by the NFL;<ref name=cobbs/> he never played another NFL game.<ref name=dies_espn/> In March 1985, Chargers owner [[Alex Spanos]] said Muncie would never play for San Diego again, even if his suspension was lifted.<ref name=cobbs/>

===Retirement===
After being reinstated later in 1985, Muncie was traded to the [[Minnesota Vikings]]. He started and performed well in the final exhibition game,<ref name=retires_lat>{{cite news |title=Vikings' Chuck Muncie Retires to Get 'Life in Order' |date=September 12, 1985 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-09-12-sp-21349-story.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130714074024/http://articles.latimes.com/1985-09-12/sports/sp-21349_1_chuck-muncie |archive-date=July 14, 2013 |url-status=live |access-date=May 17, 2013 }}</ref> but he served a one-game suspension in the season opener after failing to attend two aftercare therapy sessions that were one of the conditions of his reinstatement.<ref>{{cite news|title=Muncie suspended|date=September 7, 1985|newspaper=The Spokesman-Review|page=16|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1314&dat=19850907&id=r7wzAAAAIBAJ&sjid=au8DAAAAIBAJ&pg=2708,3372951|access-date=May 16, 2013}}</ref><ref name=lieber>{{cite news|last=Lieber|first=Jill|title=Extra Points|date=September 23, 1985|magazine=Sports Illustrated|url=http://cnnsi.printthis.clickability.com/pt/cpt?expire=&title=Extra%20Points%20-%2009.23.85%20-%20SI%20Vault&urlID=508499632&action=cpt&partnerID=289881&fb=Y&url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1119928/2/index.h|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190709040202/http://cnnsi.printthis.clickability.com/pt/cpt?expire=&title=Extra%20Points%20-%2009.23.85%20-%20SI%20Vault&urlID=508499632&action=cpt&partnerID=289881&fb=Y&url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1119928/2/index.h|archive-date=July 9, 2019|url-status=dead|access-date=July 13, 2021}}</ref> Muncie retired three days later, citing his need to make his life his first priority and the difficulty with balancing drug rehabilitation with playing football.<ref name=retires_lat/><ref name=lieber/>

===Legacy===
Muncie finished his nine-season career with 6,702 rushing yards, 263 receptions for 2,323 yards, 20 kickoff returns for 432 yards, and 74 touchdowns. He completed four passes in his career, all for touchdowns, with three of them to [[Wes Chandler]], and he had a 141.4 [[passer rating]].<ref name=dies_usat>{{cite news |title=Former running back Chuck Muncie dies at 60 |date=May 14, 2013 |newspaper=USA Today |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/chargers/2013/05/14/former-running-back-chuck-muncie-dies-at-60-new-orleans-saints-san-diego-chargers/2158215/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211083549/http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/chargers/2013/05/14/former-running-back-chuck-muncie-dies-at-60-new-orleans-saints-san-diego-chargers/2158215/ |archive-date=February 11, 2017 |url-status=dead |access-date=November 1, 2017 }}</ref> Muncie's rushing yards were the seventh-most in the NFL from 1976 though 1984, while his touchdowns ranked fourth. His 71 rushing touchdowns ranked ninth in NFL history at his retirement.<ref name=lee>{{cite news |last=Lee |first=Bryan |title=Chuck Muncie, Cal Running Back |date=September 13, 1999 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1016996/index.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100910074623/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1016996/index.htm |archive-date=September 10, 2010 |url-status=dead |access-date=May 17, 2013 }}</ref> At his death in 2013, he ranked fifth in Saints history in career rushing yards, and his 19 touchdowns in a season and 43 in his career with the Chargers had been surpassed only by [[LaDainian Tomlinson]].<ref name=dies_espn/> He also shares a Chargers record with [[LaDainian Tomlinson]] and [[Clarence Williams (running back, born 1955)|Clarence Williams]] with four rushing touchdowns in a single game (against Denver in 1981), and holds the Chargers playoff franchise records with 110 rushes for 516 yards and 86 yards per game, along with 644 career yards from scrimmage, and two playoff games with 100+ yards rushing. He was named to the Saints Hall of Honor,<ref name=martel/><ref>{{cite web |title=New Orleans Saints Mourn the Passing of RB Chuck Muncie |date=May 14, 2013 |work=NewOrleansSaints.com |url=http://www.neworleanssaints.com/news-and-events/article-1/New-Orleans-Saints-Mourn-the-Passing-of-RB-Chuck-Muncie/236e0ea0-d1d2-47bf-aa97-b297d4e3fa70 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304024045/http://www.neworleanssaints.com/news-and-events/article-1/New-Orleans-Saints-Mourn-the-Passing-of-RB-Chuck-Muncie/236e0ea0-d1d2-47bf-aa97-b297d4e3fa70 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |url-status=dead |access-date=May 16, 2013 }}</ref> and he was a member of the Chargers' [[List of San Diego Chargers 40th Anniversary Team|40th]] and [[List of San Diego Chargers 50th Anniversary Team|50th anniversary teams]].<ref name=dies_espn/>

The ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' wrote that Muncie "was gifted with size, speed and power",<ref name=peltz>{{cite news |last=Peltz |first=Jim |title=Chuck Muncie dies at 60; Saints and Chargers running back |date=May 14, 2013 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |url=https://articles.latimes.com/2013/may/14/local/la-me-chuck-muncie-20130515 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130517080642/http://articles.latimes.com/2013/may/14/local/la-me-chuck-muncie-20130515 |archive-date=May 17, 2013 |url-status=dead |access-date=May 17, 2013 }}</ref> while ''[[The Miami News]]'' said he possessed the strength of a [[Fullback (American football)|fullback]] and the elegance of a [[Halfback (American football)|halfback]].<ref name=suarez/> ''[[U-T San Diego]]'' added that he was "widely considered the most talented running back of his era",<ref name=acee>{{cite news|last=Acee |first=Kevin |title=Chargers great Chuck Muncie changed his life, others |date=May 14, 2013 |newspaper=U-T San Diego |url=http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2013/may/14/Chuck-Muncie-Chargers-obituary/all/?print |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306141225/http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2013/may/14/Chuck-Muncie-Chargers-obituary/all/?print |archive-date=March 6, 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> and the ''[[San Francisco Chronicle]]'' said Muncie "could have been the greatest running back in NFL history, a 2.0 version of Jim Brown" if he had the discipline of running backs like [[Walter Payton]] or [[Roger Craig (American football)|Roger Craig]].<ref name=crumpacker/> "His head is the only thing holding him back", said [[Jim Brown]]. "If he had total dedication, he could achieve any goal."<ref name=suarez/> While he was in New Orleans, he frequently slept through meetings whenever he attended them at all. Whenever the Saints broke the huddle, quarterback [[Archie Manning]] had to walk by Muncie and tell him exactly what he was supposed to do in the upcoming play. Manning recalled years later that it was obvious that Muncie "wasn't thinking about football" during the week.<ref name=goldstein/>

Muncie was frustrated that he was neither in the [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]] nor the [[Los Angeles Chargers Hall of Fame|Chargers Hall of Fame]], acknowledging that "I'm not there because of the choices I made."<ref name=krasovic/> He described himself as a "functioning addict" during his Chargers tenure.<ref name=krasovic/> He did cocaine after games, and sometimes would be [[substance intoxication|high]] for days leading up to game day.<ref name=acee/> In 1982, Reese said Muncie had to be "superman" to perform at his high level in spite of his addiction.<ref name=reese>{{cite news|last1=Reese|first1=Don|last2=Underwood|first2=John|title='I'm Not Worth A Damn'|date=June 14, 1982|magazine=Sports Illustrated|url=http://cnnsi.printthis.clickability.com/pt/cpt?expire=&title=Cocaine%20ruined%20Don%20Reese%27s%20NFL%20career%20and%20put%20his%20life%20-%2006.14.82%20-%20SI%20Vault&urlID=410574042&action=cpt&partnerID=289881&fb=Y&url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn|access-date=July 13, 2021}}</ref><ref name=peltz/>

Muncie was one of the first players to wear glasses or goggles while playing.<ref name=oldermann/><ref name=strauss>{{cite news |last=Strauss |first=Chris |title=Chuck Muncie would hit a man with glasses |date=May 14, 2013 |newspaper=USA Today |url=http://ftw.usatoday.com/2013/05/chuck-muncie-would-hit-a-man-with-glasses/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130610060235/http://ftw.usatoday.com/2013/05/chuck-muncie-would-hit-a-man-with-glasses |archive-date=June 10, 2013 |url-status=dead |access-date=May 18, 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Chuck Muncie dies of heart attack; former NFL running back was 60 |date=May 14, 2013 |work=SportingNews.com |url=http://aol.sportingnews.com/nfl/story/2013-05-14/chuck-muncie-dies-heart-attack-running-back-saints-chargers |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130607220053/http://aol.sportingnews.com/nfl/story/2013-05-14/chuck-muncie-dies-heart-attack-running-back-saints-chargers |archive-date=June 7, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> He began wearing glasses at Arizona Western, when he wore them at practice one day and realized they improved his [[nearsightedness]].<ref name=oldermann/><ref name=strauss/> Muncie wore thick black frames throughout his career, switching to sports goggles late in his career. While with the Saints, he was featured in a full-page ad by glassmaker [[PPG Industries|PPG]] for shatter-resistant glasses.<ref name=strauss/> Decades later in the 2010s, [[National Basketball Association]] (NBA) players were considered [[Hipster (contemporary subculture)|hipsters]] for wearing thick black glasses.<ref>{{cite news |last=Hacker |first=Bobby |title=My memories of Chuck Muncie |date=May 14, 2013 |work=FoxSports.com |url=http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/bobby-hacker-memories-of-running-back-chuck-muncie-051413 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130609143350/http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/bobby-hacker-memories-of-running-back-chuck-muncie-051413 |archive-date=June 9, 2013 |url-status=dead |access-date=May 19, 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Soller |first=Kurt |title=Why LeBron James Needs A New Look Now |date=June 8, 2012 |work=Esquire.com |url=http://www.esquire.com/blogs/mens-fashion/lebron-james-hipster-glasses-060812 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130528083414/http://www.esquire.com/blogs/mens-fashion/lebron-james-hipster-glasses-060812 |archive-date=May 28, 2013 |url-status=dead |access-date=May 19, 2013 }}</ref>

==NFL career statistics==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! colspan="2"| Legend
|-
| style="background:#cfecec; width:3em;"|
| Led the league
|-
| '''Bold'''
| Career high
|}

===Regular season===
{| class= "wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team
! colspan="2"| Games
! colspan="6"| Rushing
! colspan="5"| Receiving
! colspan="2"| Fumbles
|-
! GP !! GS !! Att !! Yds !! Avg !! Y/G !! Lng !! TD !! Rec !! Yds !! Avg !! Lng !! TD !! Fum !! FR
|-
! [[1976 NFL season|1976]] || [[1976 New Orleans Saints season|NO]]
| 12 || 11 || 149 || 659 || 4.4 || 54.9 || 51 || 2 || 31 || 272 || 8.8 || 33 || 0 || 6 || 1
|-
! [[1977 NFL season|1977]] || [[1977 New Orleans Saints season|NO]]
| 14 || 11 || 201 || 811 || 4.0 || 57.9 || 36 || 6 || 21 || 248 || '''11.8''' || 35 || '''1''' || 3 || 0
|-
! [[1978 NFL season|1978]] || [[1978 New Orleans Saints season|NO]]
| 13 || 11 || 160 || 557 || 3.5 || 42.8 || 28 || 7 || 26 || 233 || 9.0 || 34 || 0 || 7 || 1
|-
! [[1979 NFL season|1979]] || [[1979 New Orleans Saints season|NO]]
| '''16''' || '''15''' || 238 || '''1,198''' || '''5.0''' || 74.9 || 69 || 11 || 40 || 308 || 7.7 || 28 || 0 || 8 || 2
|-
! rowspan="2"|[[1980 NFL season|1980]] || [[1980 New Orleans Saints season|NO]]
| 4 || 3 || 40 || 168 || 4.2 || 42.0 || 24 || 2 || 7 || 25 || 3.6 || 8 || 0 || 1 || 0
|-
! [[1980 San Diego Chargers season|SD]]
| 11 || 5 || 135 || 659 || 4.9 || 59.9 || 53 || 4 || 24 || 234 || 9.8 || 19 || 0 || '''10''' || 0
|-
! [[1981 NFL season|1981]] || [[1981 San Diego Chargers season|SD]]
| 15 || 14 || '''251''' || 1,144 || 4.6 || '''76.3''' || '''73''' || style="background:#cfecec;"|'''19''' || '''43''' || 362 || 8.4 || 32 || 0 || 9 || '''4'''
|-
! [[1982 NFL season|1982]] || [[1982 San Diego Chargers season|SD]]
| 9 || 9 || 138 || 569 || 4.1 || 63.2 || 27 || 8 || 25 || 207 || 8.3 || '''39''' || '''1''' || 4 || 1
|-
! [[1983 NFL season|1983]] || [[1983 San Diego Chargers season|SD]]
| 15 || 12 || 235 || 886 || 3.8 || 59.1 || 34 || 12 || 42 || '''396''' || 9.4 || 27 || '''1''' || 8 || 1
|-
! [[1984 NFL season|1984]] || [[1984 San Diego Chargers season|SD]]
| 1 || 1 || 14 || 51 || 3.6 || 51.0 || 11 || 0 || 4 || 38 || 9.5 || 20 || 0 || 1 || 0
|-
! colspan="2"|[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MuncCh00.htm Career] || 110 || 92 || 1,561 || 6,702 || 4.3 || 60.9 || 73 || 71 || 263 || 2,323 || 8.8 || 39 || 3 || 57 || 10
|}

==Later life==
In the late 1980s, Muncie was found unwashed and homeless by a police officer outside of [[California Memorial Stadium|Memorial Stadium]] in Berkeley. In 1989, Muncie was sentenced to 18 months in a federal prison in [[California]] after he pleaded guilty to intending to sell {{convert|2|oz|g}} of cocaine to a friend. He turned his life around after prison, pursuing business interests and sharing stories of his drug problems with at-risk youths. Muncie said his time in prison likely saved his life.<ref name=matuszewski>{{cite news|last=Matuszewski |first=Erik |title=Chuck Muncie, NFL Pro Bowl Back for Saints, Chargers, Dies at 60 |date=May 14, 2013 |work=BusinessWeek.com |url=http://www.businessweek.com/news/2013-05-14/chuck-muncie-nfl-pro-bowl-back-for-saints-chargers-dies-at-60 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220617024608/http://www.businessweek.com/news/2013-05-14/chuck-muncie-nfl-pro-bowl-back-for-saints-chargers-dies-at-60 |archive-date=June 17, 2022 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name=goldstein/>

Muncie worked with the [[Boys & Girls Clubs of America]].<ref name=crumpacker>{{cite news |last=Crumpacker |first=John |title=Former Cal great Chuck Muncie dies at 60 |date=May 15, 2013 |newspaper=San Francisco Chronicle |url=http://www.sfgate.com/collegesports/article/Former-Cal-great-Chuck-Muncie-dies-at-60-4516729.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130521023739/http://www.sfgate.com/collegesports/article/Former-Cal-great-Chuck-Muncie-dies-at-60-4516729.php |archive-date=May 21, 2013 |url-status=dead |access-date=May 17, 2013 }}</ref> In 1997, he established the Chuck Muncie Youth Foundation in [[Antioch, California]].<ref name=goldstein/> The [[nonprofit organization]] mentored at-risk youth and provided free medical services, childhood immunizations, [[tattoo removal]] for [[gang]] members, and camps for chronically ill children.<ref name=dies_usat/><ref name=matuszewski/> Muncie also led a program that mentored athletes at his alma mater in Berkeley.<ref name=krasovic>{{cite news|last=Krasovic |first=Tom |title=Ex-Charger Chuck Muncie dies at 60 |date=May 14, 2013 |newspaper=U-T San Diego |url=http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2013/may/14/chuck-muncie-chargers-cal/all/?print |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306114139/http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2013/may/14/chuck-muncie-chargers-cal/all/?print |archive-date=March 6, 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> In his later years, he also ran a recruiting service evaluating high school football players.<ref name=crumpacker/> "Everything I did and everything I went through in my life has allowed me to do the things I'm doing now," Muncie said.<ref name=dies_usat/>

He died of a heart attack on May 13, 2013, in [[Perris, California]], near Los Angeles.<ref name="goldstein" /><ref name="crumpacker" />

==Personal life==
Muncie was married to Robyn Hood. He had one daughter, Danielle Ward.<ref name=goldstein/>

Muncie's other siblings spell their surname as "Munsey".  According to George Von Benko, the executive co-chairman and co-founder of Fayette County Sports Hall of Fame, Muncie's father used various names to avoid paying bills, and used "Muncie" on hospital forms when Muncie was born.<ref name=zeise/> Muncie's three brothers also played professional football. George Munsey was on the [[taxi squad]] for the [[Minnesota Vikings]], [[Bill Munsey]] played running back for the [[British Columbia Lions]] in the [[Canadian Football League]], and [[Nelson Munsey]] was a [[cornerback]] for the [[Baltimore Colts (1953–1983)|Baltimore Colts]].<ref name=suarez/><ref name=oldermann>{{cite news|last=Oldermann|first=Murray|title=Cal's Muncie Eyes Pro Draft|date=December 4, 1975|newspaper=Daily News|location=Bowling Green, Kentucky|page=14|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=uOQeAAAAIBAJ&sjid=0EYEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5158,545761&dq=chuck+muncie+brothers+nelson&hl=en|access-date=May 17, 2013}}</ref>

==Notes==
{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{Footballstats |pfr=MuncCh00}}
* [http://www.chuckmuncie.org Chuck Muncie Youth Foundation]

{{navboxes|list=
{{Pac-12 Player of the Year}}
{{Pop Warner Trophy}}
{{1975 NCAA Division I FBS College Football Consensus All-Americans}}
{{1976 NFL Draft}}
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{{NFL rushing touchdowns leaders}}
{{50Chargers}}
}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Muncie, Chuck}}
[[Category:1953 births]]
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[[Category:All-American college football players]]
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[[Category:American football running backs]]
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