Golden Richards made a remarkable touchdown catch in Super Bowl XII
Golden Richards, the former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver renowned for his memorable catch in Super Bowl XII against the Denver Broncos, passed away on Friday, as confirmed by his family. He was 73 years old.
In a Facebook post, Richards’ nephew Lance Richards announced that the former NFL player succumbed to congestive heart failure at his residence in Murray, Utah.
“My uncle Golden peacefully passed away this morning,” wrote Lance Richards. “I’ll always cherish our hunting trips and conversations about Dallas Cowboys football. He had a gentle and kind spirit, and I’m relieved he’s no longer in pain.”
Richards was drafted by the Cowboys in the second round of the 1973 NFL Draft from BYU. He made his debut in 12 games during his rookie season and became a starter by his second year in 1974.
Richards spent over five seasons with the Cowboys before losing his starting position midway through the 1978 season. Dallas then traded him to the Chicago Bears, where he played in 20 games during the 1978 and 1979 seasons.
In 1980, he joined the Denver Broncos but was unable to play due to a season-ending injury. Shortly thereafter, he decided to retire from professional football.
Richards gained fame for his pivotal catch against the Broncos in Super Bowl XII, securing a 29-yard pass from Robert Newhouse for the game-winning touchdown.
Following his retirement from football, Richards faced health challenges. He was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2011. Additionally, in 2022, he suffered a broken hip, requiring four surgeries, as shared by his brother, Doug Richards.
“He has departed from us and moved on to a better place,” Doug Richards remarked. “He fought bravely until the end until his time came.”
Golden Richards concluded his career as a Super Bowl champion, having won the title once. Throughout his career, he amassed 122 receptions for 2,136 yards and scored 17 touchdowns in a total of 86 games.