Studdard had a 10-year career with the Denver Broncos, helping them to reach back-to-back Super Bowls where he had the unenviable task of stopping pro-bowlers Lawrence Taylor and Dexter Manley.
He held future Hall-of-Famer Taylor to just four tackles in Super Bowl XXI, but injured his knee in the second quarter of Super Bowl XXII, an injury reporters called "devastating" and that allowed Manley to record 1.5 sacks after Studdard left.
[3] Studdard was selected in the ninth round of the 1978 NFL draft by the Baltimore Colts but was waived in the offseason.
He was regarded as an excellent pass blocker who helped the Broncos lead the league with the fewest sacks allowed.
A few days after the game, he underwent surgery to repair the torn anterior cruciate ligament and also remove some damaged cartilage from his left knee.