Former Cowboys wide receiver Golden Richards dies at age 73

Former Cowboys receiver Golden Richards died of congestive heart failure On Friday at his home in Murray, Utah, Jay Drew Deseret news I will report. He was 73 years old.

“My uncle Golden passed away peacefully this morning,” Lance Richards wrote on social media. “I’ll always remember going hunting and talking about Dallas Cowboy football. He was a kind and gentle person, and I’m so glad he’s not suffering anymore.”

Doug Richards told the newspaper that his brother’s health had deteriorated after falling and breaking his hip on Christmas Day 2022, requiring four hip surgeries. Doug Richards told Drew that Golden was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2011 and his mental abilities were rapidly declining.

Golden Richards only played seven seasons, but he made his mark in the postseason.

He caught nine passes for 150 yards and three touchdowns in nine postseason games, including five receptions for 84 yards and two touchdowns in the team’s 1977 championship game. Recorded. Richards scored the deciding touchdown in Super Bowl 12, beating Steve Foley on a trick play with 7:04 left to catch a 29-yard touchdown pass from fullback Robert Newhouse. The Cowboys led 27-10.

He also caught a 4-yard touchdown pass from Roger Staubach in the 1975 NFC Championship Game win over the Rams, and caught a 4-yard touchdown pass from Roger Staubach in the 1977 NFC Championship Game win over the Vikings. Caught a 32-yard touchdown pass.

The Cowboys made Richards a second-round pick in 1973, and he played five seasons and one game in Dallas in 1978 before losing his job to Tony Hill and being traded to the Bears. In exchange for Richards, the Cowboys received a fifth-round pick in 1979 and a third-round pick in 1980.

He appeared in 19 games for the Bears over two seasons and was with the Broncos in 1980, but did not play.

Richards finished his career with 122 receptions, 2,136 yards, and 17 touchdowns.

He leaves behind two adult sons, Goldie Jr. and Jordan, and a 2-year-old grandson, Jett. Funeral arrangements are pending.