Former Kansas City Chiefs WR Gloster Richardson passed away at 77 years old on Thursday, Feb. 27 according to Sam McDowell of the Kansas City Star.
Richardson was a seventh-round draft pick out of Jackson State College by the AFL’s Dallas Texans in 1965. He spent multiple years with the practice roster and didn’t get his first chance with the team until the 1967 season. A year before the merger, he had his best season yet. He started 11 games in 1968, accumulating nearly 500 yards and six touchdowns.
The Greenville, Mississippi native would go on to play with the Chiefs in Super Bowl IV. On his way to becoming a Super Bowl champion, he’d catch a single 19-yard touchdown reception to help the Chiefs defeat the New York Jets in the first round of the playoffs. That was the only pass he caught during the 1969 postseason. He was known for his role in Super Bowl IV’s infamous 65 toss power trap play that led to a 5-yard score by RB Mike Garrett. Gloster delivered the play call from the sideline to QB Len Dawson in the huddle.
Richardson would later be traded to the Dallas Cowboys in 1971 in a player-for-player trade. He spent his time with the Cowboys as a reserve player and ultimately would go on to win Super Bowl VI with the team. He’d finish his career with the Cleveland Browns as a reserve player before calling it quits after the 1974 season. He’d catch a total of 92 passes for over 1,600 yards and 18 touchdowns during his career.
Later, Richardson would return to football as a receivers coach at Mississippi Valley State University, coaching Pro Football Hall of Fame WR Jerry Rice during his final two seasons of college football.