He played college football at Michigan for two seasons before transferring to Stanford, and was selected by the Oakland Raiders in the third round of the 1998 NFL draft.

Despite only 15 rushing attempts in his NFL career, Ritchie built a reputation with his blue-collar work ethic and was considered one of the best blocking fullbacks in the league.

He had expressed an interest in playing closer to his hometown, which was just 90 miles west of Philadelphia, so his friends and family could watch and attend his games.

[7] In 2003, Ritchie helped the Eagles running back tandem of Brian Westbrook, Duce Staley, and Correll Buckhalter, along with quarterback Donovan McNabb, rush for a total of 2,015 yards and 23 touchdowns.

[11] Ritchie appeared as a contributor for various shows on ESPN, including First Take, NFL 32, Outside the Lines, and College Football Overdrive.

His campaign policies included lowering taxes, fighting for pension reform, and helping to revitalize Pennsylvania's education system.

[13] Despite this, Ritchie would actually win the Democratic nomination by write-in votes, but ultimately decided not to run in the general election against Regan.

[14][15][16][17] After retiring from the NFL, Ritchie moved back to his hometown of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, where he helped coach the high school football team for which he played, the Cumberland Valley Eagles.

On February 8, 2018, shortly after the Eagles' Super Bowl LII championship parade, Ritchie was involved in a car accident on I-95 near the Philadelphia International Airport.