Jeff Richardson (American football)

Last updated

Jeff Richardson
No. 74, 76, 68, 78 [1]
Position: Offensive lineman, defensive lineman
Personal information
Born: (1944-09-01) September 1, 1944 (age 80)
Johnstown, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Height:6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:250 lb (113 kg)
Career information
High school: Johnstown (Pennsylvania)
College: Michigan State (1963—1966)
NFL draft: 1967: 6th round, 146th pick
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Games played:28
Games started:0
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Jeffery A. Richardson (born September 1, 1944) is an American former professional football offensive lineman who played three seasons in the American Football League (AFL) with the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins. He was selected by the Jets in the sixth round of the 1967 NFL/AFL draft after playing college football at Michigan State University. He was a member of the Jets team that won Super Bowl III.

Contents

Early life

Jeffery A. Richardson was born on September 1, 1944, in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. [1] He attended Johnstown High School in Johnstown. [1] He participated in football, wrestling, and track at Johnstown High. [2] He won the state heavyweight wrestling title his junior year after going 22–0. [2] Richardson had an overall wrestling record of 52–3 while in high school. [2]

Richardson was inducted into the Cambria County Sports Hall of Fame in 1981 and the Pennsylvania Wrestling Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2009. [3]

College career

Richardson was a member of the Michigan State Spartans of Michigan State University from 1963 to 1966 as a defensive lineman. [1] [2] He earned United Press International second-team All-Big Ten honors in 1966. [1] The Spartans were national champions in 1965 and 1966. [2] Richardson won the Big Ten wrestling championship his sophomore year in 1966. [2]

Professional career

Richardson was selected by the New York Jets in the sixth round, with the 146th overall pick, of the 1967 NFL draft. [4] He played in 11 games as a rookie in 1967. [4] He re-signed with the Jets on May 23, 1968. [5] Richardson appeared in all 14 games for the Jets during the 1968 season. [4] He also played in both of the team's playoff games that year, including the Super Bowl III victory over the Baltimore Colts. [4] [6] He was listed as an offensive lineman while with the Jets. [1]

On July 28, 1969, Richardson was traded to the Cincinnati Bengals for an undisclosed draft pick. [7] He was waived by the Bengals in early September 1969. [8]

On September 2, 1969, Richardson was claimed off waivers by the Miami Dolphins. [9] He played in three games for the Dolphins during the 1969 season before being released. [10] He was listed as a defensive tackle while with the Dolphins. [1]

Richardson then played for the Jersey Jays of the Continental Football League from 1969 to 1970 as a defensive tackle. [1] [11]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Jeff Richardson". Pro Football Archives. Retrieved April 7, 2025.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Jeff Richardson". Cambria County Sports Hall of Fame. Retrieved April 7, 2025.
  3. Mastovich, Mike (April 24, 2009). "Johnstown's Richardson enters wrestling hall". The Tribune-Democrat . Retrieved April 7, 2025.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "Jeff Richardson". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved April 7, 2025.
  5. "2 Jet Reserves Sign". The Sacramento Bee . Associated Press. May 23, 1968. pp. D2. Retrieved April 7, 2025.
  6. "1968 New York Jets Game Log". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved April 7, 2025.
  7. "Bengals Land Veteran Performer From Jets". The Marion Star . Associated Press. July 28, 1969. p. 16. Retrieved April 7, 2025.
  8. "Eagles Drop Irish Stars; Bengals Ax Tommie Smith". Latrobe Bulletin . United Press International. September 2, 1969. p. 14. Retrieved April 7, 2025.
  9. "Miami Picks Two Bengals". The Miami Herald . September 3, 1969. pp. 6F. Retrieved April 7, 2025.
  10. "Jeff Richardson Transactions". Pro Football Archives. Retrieved April 7, 2025.
  11. "Jays sign ex-Jet for defensive line". The Star-Ledger . October 16, 1969. p. 46. Retrieved April 7, 2025.