“RIP Cowboys Man” – NFL World Mourns Death of Ex-Super Bowl Champion John Golden Richards at 73

The NFL community mourns the loss of former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver John ‘Golden‘ Richards, who passed away at 73. Richards was a beloved figure in the footballing community for his contributions to the Cowboys’ Super Bowl success. His passing leaves a big void in the hearts of football fans everywhere, as they will remember his legacy.

Richards’ brother, Doug, confirmed the news of his passing, “He has left us and gone to a better place.” Being a star at Brigham Young University (BYU) before his NFL career, Richards had endeared himself to fans, and his exceptional talent and persona spoke out to them as if one of their own. He dealt with multiple surgeries, including Parkinson’s disease, becoming a symbol of perseverance and grit throughout his life. He finally succumbed to congestive heart failure after battling his declining health in recent years.

Remembering John Richards’ meaningful career and the famous Super Bowl catch

Richards‘ journey to football stardom started in his hometown of Salt Lake City. He excelled as a standout athlete at Granite High School. Richards played his final college season at Hawaii, catching 23 passes for 414 yards and five touchdowns. Followed by his exceptional talents, he saw the attention of college scouts, leading to Brigham Young University.

He solidified his reputation at BYU as a dynamic receiver and punt returner. Richards finished his career with 122 receptions for 2,136 yards and 17 TDs before injuries prompted him to retire in 1980. His brother Doug recently said, “He fought pretty good there to the end until it was his time.” in recognition of his injuries and battles with Parkinson’s, which prompted him to stay with his adult sons Goldie Jr. and Jordan in his later years.

One of his most memorable performances came in the Super Bowl 12. A remarkable touchdown catch highlighted it off a gadget play. This cemented his name in footballing history, which makes the Cowboys fans forever cherish his contributions to the team’s success, as he played an integral role in securing their second championship title.

Farewell note from Fans

After his brother paid him tribute, fans of Golden Richards also took to social media to share their sentiments. Besides the direct members of the Bears and Cowboys family, fans poured their hearts out on Twitter as they mourned the loss. A fan ran back time talking about his hype during the 70s, captioning, “Aw man, Golden Richards was one of the best WRs for @dallascowboys in the 70s. RIP.”

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A fan sent his condolences and wished for him to find peace as his soul departs the mortal world, “Rest in peace, John Golden Richards.  December 31, 1950 – February 23, 2024. May God bless his soul and comfort his loved ones.”

A fan reminded us of his prowess during his playing time, “RIP ! My first receiver heroes Drew Pearson, Preston Pearson, Butch Johnson, Golden Richards. #AmericasReceivers“. Another fan expressed his grief at the unbearable loss of his favorite receiver, saying, “Sad to learn that my favorite Cowboys player as a kid passed away today. Rest in peace Golden Richards. He was only 73. Damn.“

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His deep relationship with fans was also highlighted as another one of his supporters reminisced about having his autographed picture captioned, “So very sad. I have an autographed picture of Golden Richards.” In a final message for Golden Richards, a fan reminisced about football back in the day. She wrote, “RIP Golden Richards. But was football better back then, or is it just nostalgia?”

Beyond statistics, accolades, and his professional life, Richards was a loving human being, as confirmed by his friends and family. As his family gathers strength to endure these tough times, the footballing world wishes them courage and condolences.