The Dallas Cowboys got some grim news over the weekend. Former Cowboys star Golden Richards passed away on February 23. He was 73 years old. During his time with the franchise, Richards won one Super Bowl in 1978. Following Richards’ passing, his nephew released a statement on Facebook.
“My uncle Golden passed away peacefully this morning,” he wrote on Friday. “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.”
Golden Richards Dies at 73
After completing his senior season at the University of Hawai’i, Richards entered the NFL after being chosen in the second round of the 1973 NFL Draft by the Cowboys. Initially serving as a special teams player during his rookie year, he left a lasting mark on the NFC championship game by returning a punt for an impressive 63-yard touchdown.
In his second NFL season, Richards secured a regular starting role and emerged as the Cowboys’ primary deep threat. In the 1974 season, among his 26 receptions, four exceeded 43 yards.
A defining moment in Richards’ professional career occurred during Super Bowl XII in 1978, where the Cowboys faced off against the Denver Broncos. With the Cowboys holding a 20-10 lead and seven minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, quarterback Roger Staubach executed a pitch to running back Robert Newhouse.
In a remarkable play, Newhouse, after gaining a few yards, executed a pass downfield to Richards, resulting in a 29-yard touchdown that sealed the victory for the Cowboys.