Former NFL wide receiver Golden Richards died on Friday at the age of 73.

Doug Richards, Golden’s brother, confirmed the news to Jay Drew of the Deseret News.

“He has left us and gone to a better place,” Doug said. “He fought pretty good there to the end, until it was his time.”

Drew noted Golden Richards died from congestive heart failure after a “long battle with multiple health and prescription drug abuse issues that plagued his later years.”

Doug also noted his brother broke his hip from a fall on Christmas Day in 2022 that required four surgeries and contributed to his ongoing health problems.

Lance Richards, nephew of Golden, posted a statement about his uncle’s death on Facebook: “My uncle Golden passed away peacefully this morning. I will forever remember going hunting and talking Dallas Cowboy football. He was a kind and sweet soul and I’m so happy he’s not suffering anymore.”

Richards played college football at BYU before being a second-round draft pick by the Dallas Cowboys in 1973. He spent the first five years of his career with the Cowboys, including winning a Super Bowl after the 1977 campaign.

In the Cowboys’ 27-10 victory over the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl 12, Richards caught a touchdown pass from Robert Newhouse.

Richards was traded to the Chicago Bears early in the 1978 season. He played two years with the club before signing with the Broncos in 1980. Back-to-back season-ending injuries resulted in Richards retiring in 1980.

The Salt Lake City native finished his NFL career with 122 receptions, 2,136 yards and 17 touchdowns in 86 games.