Michael Richardson, who played defensive back for the Chicago Bears from 1983-88, has been arrested on a murder charge in Phoenix, Az.
Richardson, a member of the Super Bowl champs in 1985, is accused in the shooting death of 47-year-old Ronald Like.
Like was found shot and killed Tuesday morning. He had been discovered by police with a gunshot wound at an intersection.
Richardson was arrested Wednesday and charged with murder, misconduct involving weapons, and a felony warrant.
Maricopa County jail records show Richardson was being held without bond on charges of murder, possession of a weapon by a prohibited person, and possession of a dangerous drug for sale. He’s due to appear in court on the warrant on Jan. 6, records show.
Richardson has been arrested by Phoenix police twice in 2020, both times for alleged drug possession. He was arrested and locked up in Maricopa County in 2018, accused of theft and possessing meth, crack cocaine, and heroin, ABC15.com reported.
AP Photo/Sal VederIn 2008 Richardson faced a 13-year sentence for possession of methamphetamine and crack cocaine. It was his 21st drug conviction since the end of his football career.
Former teammate Richard Dent and coach Mike Ditka both supported Richardson being sent to a rehab facility rather than prison. The judge ultimately sentenced Richardson to a year in prison and an extended probation period, violation of which would result in Richardson serving the remainder of a 13-year sentence.
Most recently, he had a felony warrant out for his arrest, which police added to the booking charges this week.
He had played college football for Arizona State University, and was recognized as an All-American in 1981 and 1982. Richardson was only the 6th All-American in ASU history at the time, and the second player ever to achieve it twice.
Richardson finished his NFL career with 20 interceptions, which he returned for 247 yards and a touchdown. He also recorded 4 fumble recoveries. Known as “L.A. Mike”, he was a featured soloist of the “Shuffling Crew” in the Super Bowl Shuffle video in 1985.
Richardson, a native of Compton, Ca, was a second-round pick out of Arizona State, No. 33 overall, in 1983. He is featured in the team’s iconic “Super Bowl Shuffle” video, KNXV reported. “I’m L.A. Mike and I play it cool, they don’t sneak by me because I’m no fool,” Richardson rhymed on the song.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-U8E-NiPlw