A 68-year-old Florence woman is facing a felony charge after court records allege she struck her husband, former Alabama and NFL quarterback Richard Todd, multiple times with a pair of pliers during an argument. Debra Darby Todd is charged with second-degree domestic violence assault, a felony under Alabama law, and remains held on bond following the incident earlier this week.
According to a report, the complaint says the incident happened around 11 p.m. Monday, with court records filed the following day at about 5 p.m. The complaint alleges Todd struck the victim multiple times with pliers during the argument, causing physical injury, and says the victim had multiple cuts and abrasions on his arms. As WAFF reports, court documents obtained by the station indicate Richard Todd reportedly declined to go to the hospital following the alleged assault.
Condition Still Unclear as Case Moves Forward
Richard Todd's condition and the extent of his injuries were unknown at the time of the report. Debra Todd is being held at the Lauderdale County Jail with bond set at $30,000, and a court date was pending at the time of the report.
The case has drawn attention in part because of Richard Todd's football history. He played for Alabama from 1973 to 1975 and was named first-team All-SEC in 1975, according to the same account. The New York Jets drafted him sixth overall in the 1976 NFL draft, and he later played for the New Orleans Saints, a run that lasted through 1985.
What Comes Next
No further details about a court appearance, plea, or case outcome have been reported. The allegations against Debra Todd remain unproven in court, and both the circumstances of the argument and the full scope of her husband's injuries remain unclear as the case proceeds.
