Golden Richards, the ex-NFL wide receiver and Dallas Cowboys icon, has left an enduring mark both in sports and outside it.
On Friday, January 23, 2024, Richards died at his Murray, Utah, residence due to congestive heart failure at the age of 73. Known for his significant contribution to the Cowboys’ 1978 Super Bowl win and his distinctive blonde hair, his journey from a college standout to an NFL star is a tale of victory, tenacity, and the harsh realities of post-football life.
Richards, a native of Salt Lake City, Utah, was an outstanding wide receiver and punt returner during his college years, initially at Brigham Young University and later at the University of Hawaii, owing to his speed and agility.
His exceptional performance, which included leading the country in return touchdowns in his junior year, paved the way for his professional career. Richards achieved his childhood dream when he was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys, where he played the majority of his seven-season NFL career. He also played with the Chicago Bears and the Denver Broncos, displaying his skills across the league.
The highlight of Richards’ career was arguably his 29-yard touchdown receipt from fullback Robert Newhouse in Super Bowl XII, which sealed the Cowboys’ victory. This moment, representative of Richards’ career, showcased his capacity to excel under pressure and make substantial contributions to his team’s triumphs. As a deep-threat receiver with the Cowboys, Richards racked up impressive stats, including 122 receptions for 2,136 yards and 17 touchdowns.
However, Richards faced considerable challenges after his NFL retirement in 1980. He struggled with health problems, including drug addiction, and was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2011. His difficulties underscore the physical and mental strain professional football can inflict on its players, with repeated concussions and the game’s rigor contributing to his health problems later in life.
Doug Richards, his brother, remembered Golden as a fantastic football player and a gentle soul who battled valiantly against the health issues that haunted his later years. He explained the impact of seven to eight years of football’s physical demands on a 175-pound wide receiver, noting the role of multiple concussions in Golden’s condition.
Doug Richards stressed the strength of their relationship and the severe pain of losing his brother. “He’s moved on to a better place,” he said, emphasizing Golden’s brave fight till the end of his life.
According to Doug, Golden fractured his hip in 2022, leading to four surgeries. He spent his final years living with his sons, Goldie Jr. and Jordan.
