The former Brigham Young University star is best known as a deep-playing threat who spent seven seasons in the NFL with Dallas, Chicago and Denver, and over five seasons with the Cowboys. He averaged more than 21 yards per catch twice and finished his Dallas career with 18.3 yards per catch.
That was especially true in the 1978 Super Bowl against Denver. With the Cowboys leading 20-10 in the fourth quarter, fullback Robert Newhouse threw a 29-yard touchdown pass to Richards, who outmaneuvered the defense, but the Cowboys' won 27-10, securing their second championship.
Richards finished his career with 122 receptions, 2,136 yards, and 17 touchdowns before retiring in 1980 due to injury.
The Salt Lake City native was a star at Granite High School and then starred as a receiver and punt returner at nearby BYU, where he led the nation with four touchdown returns as a junior.
Richards played his final college season at Hawaii, catching 23 passes for 414 yards and five touchdowns. That caught the attention of the Cowboys, who drafted him in the second round in 1973.
In his later years, Mr. Richards lived with his adult sons Goldie Jr. and Jordan. Doug Richards said his brother broke his hip on Christmas 2022 and underwent four hip surgeries.
