Golden Richards, the 73-year-old former wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys who made a famous catch in the Super Bowl, was described as “a kind and sweet soul.” Richards spent seven seasons in the NFL, five of which he spent with the Cowboys.
According to his nephew, Golden Richards, the former collegiate and professional football player recognized for his massive receptions and his flowing blonde hair, passed away over the weekend. He was seventy-three.
Lance Richards posted on Facebook on Friday, saying, “My uncle Golden passed away peacefully this morning.” “I’ll never forget going hunting and having conversations about Dallas Cowboy football. He had a gentle and loving spirit, and I’m glad he’s no longer in pain.
Richards was well-known for his quickness as a punt returner and wide receiver in college. During his junior year at Brigham Young University, he once set a record most return touchdowns throughout the country. After transferring to Hawaii to complete his collegiate studies, the native of Salt Lake City was selected by Dallas in the draft, realizing his childhood ambition of being an NFL player.
Richards spent seven seasons as an NFL player, five of which he spent with the Dallas Cowboys. He also had a brief career as a player with the Denver Broncos and Chicago Bears.
Richards is renowned for having a key role in the Cowboys’ 1978 Super Bowl victory as he successfully completed a trick play late in the game and caught a 29-yard pass from fullback Robert Newhouse. The season’s first three touchdown passes were caught by the deep-threat wide receiver, who added two more in the team’s NFC Championship game.
Doug Richards, the brother of Richards, told The Deseret News over the weekend that his brother “had a great heart, a tender heart, and was just a really great guy, and obviously a great football player.”
Doug claimed that he and his brother were “extremely close,” which made the loss even more painful. He informed the press, “He has left us and gone to a better place.” “Until it was his turn, he fought very good there to the end.”
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Richards battled addiction and a number of other medical conditions after leaving the NFL in 1980. In 2011, he received a Parkinson’s disease diagnosis.
Doug told The Deseret News, “Seven or eight years of wear and tear on the football field for a 175-pound wide receiver who was concussed several times, too.” “That clearly had an impact.”
According to his brother, Richards underwent four hip operations after breaking his hip on Christmas in 2022, as reported by ESPN. In his later years, he resided with his adult sons Jordan and Goldie Jr., the outlet said.
