Born and raised in Utah, Richards attended Granite High School in South Salt Lake, where he received all-state honors in three sports (football, basketball, track).
In football, he joined his brother Doug Richards and played fullback for the Farmers, and led the track & field team to the class 'A' state title in 1969, Granite's first in a quarter century.
[citation needed] The combination of being ruled academically ineligible and BYU's run-oriented offense, led to his decision to transfer to the University of Hawaii for his senior season.
In the NFC Championship loss at home to the Minnesota Vikings on December 30, he returned a punt 63 yards for the Cowboys' sole touchdown.
[citation needed] The next season in 1977, his fourth straight as a starter, Richards alternated with Butch Johnson, recording 17 receptions for 225 yards (13.2 average) and three touchdowns.
In the 27–10 win over the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XII, he had his most notable career highlight, catching a 29-yard pass from fullback Robert Newhouse in the fourth quarter for the game's final score.
He was placed on the injured reserve list in August,[16] and retired without playing a regular season game for the Broncos[citation needed].