Former BYU and Dallas Cowboys receiver Golden Richards was one of the most talented and troubled athletes Utah State has ever produced, but he suffered from multiple health and prescription issues. He died early Friday morning at his home in Murray of congestive heart failure after a long battle with drug abuse. A problem that plagued his later years.
He was 73 years old.
“The 175-pound wide receiver spent seven or eight years on the football field and suffered multiple concussions. It obviously took a toll.” — Doug Richards, former BYU and NFL star Golden Richards Brother of.
“He left us for a better place,” admitted Doug Richards, the former BYU basketball star's brother. “He fought pretty well there until the end, until his turn came.”
Doug Richards said his brother broke his hip in a fall on Christmas Day 2022 and has since had four hip surgeries, all of which have contributed to his declining health.
His mental abilities were also rapidly declining, Doug said.
“The 175-pound wide receiver was worn out on the football field for seven or eight years and had multiple concussions,” Doug said. “It obviously took its toll.”
Golden Richards graduated from Granite High School in Salt Lake City and was an all-state performer in football, basketball and track and field before signing to play football at BYU.
He chose No. 22 in honor of his childhood hero, former Cowboys receiver Bob Hayes, and went on to play for the Cowboys from 1973 to 1978.
In the 1978 Super Bowl, Richards caught a 29-yard touchdown pass to help the Cowboys defeat the Denver Broncos 27-10.
At BYU, he was known as the team's fastest player, catching 36 passes for 513 yards and one touchdown as a sophomore.
As a junior, he led BYU in receiving, returning 33 punts for 624 yards (17.9 average). He finished first in the nation in punt return yards and 16th in all-purpose yards, earning All-WAC honors.
Richards transferred to Hawaii for his senior season, catching 23 passes for 414 yards and five touchdowns before a knee injury derailed his entire pro career.
His best year with the Cowboys was 1974, when he had 26 catches for 467 yards and five touchdowns.
He finished his professional career playing for the Chicago Bears in 1978-1979 and the Broncos in 1980.
Known for his long blonde hair and movie star looks, Richards dabbled in television after retiring and appeared on the “ESPN Outdoors” TV show.
Immediately after retiring, Ms. Richards began a long and painful journey of alcoholism and drug addiction, which led to many legal problems, but she never ran away from problems and ultimately spent the last ten years of her life… His brother said he had stopped drinking.
He was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2011.
“It is well documented that he had difficulty taking the opioids and painkillers he was given while playing football,” Doug Richards said.
“In the NFL, they handed them out like aspirin.”
Golden Richards, who has been divorced three times, has two adult sons, Goldie Jr. and Jordan, and a two-year-old grandson, Jett.
“It's very sad because we were very close,” Doug said. “He battled (prescription drug addiction) and finally got out of it a few years ago, but it was tough. Through it all, he was a devoted father and a great, great brother.
“He had a great heart and a kind heart and was just a really great guy and obviously a great football player.”
Funeral arrangements are pending.
