Golden Richards, Former Dallas Cowboys Receiver Who Made Famous Super Bowl Catch, Dead at 73 : ‘A Kind and Sweet Soul’

Mar. 15, 2025

Golden Richards in 1977.Photo:Heinz Kluetmeier/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images

Heinz Kluetmeier/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images

Golden Richards, the former college and professional football star known for big catches and his flowing blonde hair, died over the weekend, his nephew confirmed. He was 73.“My uncle Golden passed away peacefully this morning,” Lance Richardswroteon Facebook 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.”

Richards played in the NFL for seven seasons, including five with the Dallas Cowboys. He also briefly played for the Chicago Bears and the Denver Broncos.

Golden Richards.George Gojkovich/Getty Images

George Gojkovich/Getty Images

Doug said he was “very close” with his brother, making the loss all the more difficult. “He has left us and gone to a better place,” he told the newspaper. “He fought pretty good there to the end, until it was his time.”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Golden Richards during the 1978 Super Bowl.AP Photo

AP Photo

Richards struggled with addiction and several other health issues after retiring from the NFL in 1980. He was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2011.

“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 toldThe Deseret News. “That obviously took its toll.”

Richards had broken his hip on Christmas in 2022 and had four hip surgeries, his brothertoldESPN. He lived with his adult sons Goldie Jr. and Jordan in his final years, according to the outlet.

source: people.com