New Delhi: Former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Golden Richards, famous for his flowing blonde hair and iconic touchdown catch in the 1978 Super Bowl, died on Friday at the age of 73. His cause of death was congestive heart failure, Richards' nephew Lance Richards confirmed in a heartfelt post on Facebook.
“My Uncle Golden passed away peacefully this morning. I will always remember him going hunting and talking about Dallas Cowboys football. He was a kind and gentle man. I'm so glad I'm not suffering anymore,” he wrote.
A former Brigham Young University (BYU) standout, Golden Richards enjoyed a seven-season NFL career with the Dallas Cowboys, Chicago Bears and Denver Broncos. He made a big impact in his five-plus seasons with the Cowboys, establishing himself as a deep-play threat with an impressive career average of 18.3 yards per catch.
One of the defining moments of Richards' career was the 1978 Super Bowl against the Denver Broncos. With the Cowboys leading 20-10 in the fourth quarter, fullback Robert Newhouse executed a gadget play and threw a 29-yard touchdown pass to Richards. This play proved pivotal and the Cowboys won their second championship.
Richards totaled 122 receptions, 2,136 yards, and 17 touchdowns before retiring in 1980 due to injury. A Salt Lake City native, Richards excelled at Granite High School and shined at BYU, leading the nation as a junior with four touchdown returns as a receiver and punt returner.
After his career as a football player, Richards faced health problems and battled drug addiction, but managed to remain sober for the last ten years of his life. Diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2011, he spent his final years with his adult sons Goldie Jr. and Jordan. Despite the hardships faced, Richards continued to fight until the end.
“He left us and went to a better place,” said Golden's brother Doug Richards. “He fought pretty well there until the end, until his turn came.”
(Input from AP)
“My Uncle Golden passed away peacefully this morning. I will always remember him going hunting and talking about Dallas Cowboys football. He was a kind and gentle man. I'm so glad I'm not suffering anymore,” he wrote.
A former Brigham Young University (BYU) standout, Golden Richards enjoyed a seven-season NFL career with the Dallas Cowboys, Chicago Bears and Denver Broncos. He made a big impact in his five-plus seasons with the Cowboys, establishing himself as a deep-play threat with an impressive career average of 18.3 yards per catch.
One of the defining moments of Richards' career was the 1978 Super Bowl against the Denver Broncos. With the Cowboys leading 20-10 in the fourth quarter, fullback Robert Newhouse executed a gadget play and threw a 29-yard touchdown pass to Richards. This play proved pivotal and the Cowboys won their second championship.
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After his career as a football player, Richards faced health problems and battled drug addiction, but managed to remain sober for the last ten years of his life. Diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2011, he spent his final years with his adult sons Goldie Jr. and Jordan. Despite the hardships faced, Richards continued to fight until the end.
“He left us and went to a better place,” said Golden's brother Doug Richards. “He fought pretty well there until the end, until his turn came.”
(Input from AP)
