Golden Richards, former Dallas Cowboys WR, dies at 73

Former Dallas Cowboys receiver Golden Richards, known for his Hollywood good looks, flowing blonde locks, sizzling speed and a sensational Super Bowl catch, has died. He was 73.

Richards’ nephew, Lance, shared news of his uncle’s death in a Facebook post.

“My uncle Golden passed away peacefully this morning,” Lance Richards posted. “I will forever remember going hunting and talking Dallas Cowboy football. He was a kind and sweet soul, and I’m so happy he’s not suffering anymore.”

Cowboys selected Richards in 1973

The Cowboys selected Richards in the second round of the 1973 NFL Draft. Richards grew up in Utah and played for BYU, then Hawaii. The receiver excelled in the return game and was also a big deep threat. He wore No. 22 in college in honor of his favorite player, Bob Hayes, an Olympic gold medalist and Cowboys star. When he arrived in Dallas, Richards switched to 83, but was the fastest guy on the team.

Richards played five of his seven NFL seasons with the Cowboys. He averaged 18.3 yards per catch and specialized in catching the bombs thrown by Roger Staubach. Yet Richards’ best-known play was the pass he caught from fullback Robert Newhouse to help clinch a win over the Broncos in Super Bowl XII. Staubach tossed the ball to Newhouse, who heaved the ball towards Richards. It didn’t matter that the pass wobbled in the air. Richards was so far behind the Denver secondary that all Newhouse needed to do was to get the ball in the vicinity of the Cowboys receiver.

Brad Sham, the long-time voice of the Dallas Cowboys, shared his thoughts on Richards’ passing.

“RIP Golden Richards, one of the most exciting Dallas Cowboys of the ‘70s. Joy to be around. Privileged to been able to help tell his story.”

RIP Golden Richards, one of the most exciting @dallascowboys of the ‘70s . Joy to be around. Privileged to been able to help tell his story. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/NUEZMtmPA0

— Brad Sham (@Boys_Vox) February 24, 2024

Richards led a troubled life after he left the NFL in 1980 as he struggled with addictions to alcohol and prescription drugs. In 2011, doctors diagnosed him with Parkinson’s Disease. Doug Richards, Golden’s brother, told the Deseret News that Golden had been sober for the past decade. He fell and broke his hip on Christmas Day, 2022. His brother said Richards had four surgeries since then, with his health in a significant decline.

“Seven or eight years of wear and tear on the football field for a 175-pound wide receiver who was concussed several times, too,” Doug Richards said. “That obviously took its toll.”

Richards died Friday morning at his home in Utah. He is survived by two sons, Goldie and Jordan, and a young grandson, Jett.