Utah’s Murray Golden Richards, a wide receiver on the legendary Dallas Cowboys teams of the 1970s, passed away at the age of 73 from congestive heart failure. Richards’ touchdown catch in Super Bowl XII secured the team’s second world championship.
Richards’ nephew Lance reported his death in a Facebook post. It is said that he passed away at his Murray, Utah, residence. In 2011, he received a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease.
In the article, Richards’ nephew writes, “I will always remember going hunting and talking Dallas Cowboy football.” “He was a gentle and compassionate person, and I’m glad he’s no longer in pain.”
Richards was a potent deep threat, averaging more than 21 yards per reception twice, despite having just 122 receptions and 17 touchdowns over the course of seven seasons—five with the Cowboys and two with the Chicago Bears.
His greatest moment occurred during the Cowboys’ victory against the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XII. In the fourth quarter, with the Cowboys ahead 20–10, Richards caught a 29-yard touchdown pass on a gadget play—not from quarterback Roger Staubach, but from fullback Robert Newhouse. Ultimately, the Cowboys prevailed 27–10.
Before signing with the Cowboys, Richards played collegiate football at Brigham Young and Hawaii. Recurring ailments prompted him to withdraw from the NFL in 1980.
According to The Deseret News, Richards battled drug addiction and health issues after retirement, but he spent the last ten years of his life sober.
According to brother Doug Richards, “seven or eight years of wear and tear on the football field for a 175-pound wide receiver who was concussed several times, too.” “That clearly had an impact.”
