James Richards (Canadian football)

James G. Richards (born November 7, 1969) is a former American football offensive guard in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys, Los Angeles Rams and Phoenix Cardinals. He also was a member of the Las Vegas Posse in the Canadian Football League (CFL). He was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the third round (64th overall) of the 1991 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of California, Berkeley.

James Richards
Personal information
Born: (1969-11-07) November 7, 1969
Lancaster, California, U.S.
Height:6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Weight:290 lb (132 kg)
Career information
High school:Antelope Valley (CA)
College:California
Position:Guard
NFL Draft:1991 / Round: 3 / Pick: 64
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards

Early years

Richards attended Antelope Valley High School, where he was an All-state offensive tackle as a senior.[1] In 1987, he accepted a football scholarship from Cal State Northridge, where he played as an offensive tackle. In 1988, he transferred to Antelope Valley College.[2]

As a junior in 1989, he transferred to the University of California. He was named the starter at left guard, protecting quarterback Toy Taylor, who set a Cal record for total offense and passed for the second most yards in a single-season in school history.[3]

As a senior in 1990, he started all 12 games at left guard and was also the long snapper for punts in the first four contests. He contributed to Russell White and Anthony Wallace becoming the first pair of running backs in school history to gain 1,000 rushing yards in the same year. They also became the fourth and fifth players in Cal history to rush for 1,000 yards in a single-season. Richards only missed 10 offensive snaps in his last two seasons.

Professional career

Dallas Cowboys

Richards was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the third round (64th overall) of the 1991 NFL Draft.[4] He struggled with his blocking during training camp and was waived on August 26.[5] In September, he was signed to the practice squad, until being released on October 9.

Los Angeles Rams

On October 16, 1991, he was signed to the Los Angeles Rams practice squad.[6] He was released on November 6.[7]

Phoenix Cardinals

On February 4, 1992, he signed as a free agent with the Phoenix Cardinals.[8] He was released on September 1.[9] On November 2, he was signed to the practice squad.[10] He was waived on November 10.[11]

Dallas Cowboys

On April 13, 1993, he signed with the Dallas Cowboys.[12][13][14] He was released before the season started.

Las Vegas Posse

In July 1994, Richards was signed by the expansion team Las Vegas Posse of the Canadian Football League.[15] He was injured and appeared in only 3 games. He played as an offensive tackle, before the team folded at the end of the season.

References
  1. "High School Football Preview : Golden League". Los Angeles Times. 11 September 1985. Retrieved February 19, 2018.
  2. "CSUN Signs 8 JC Players for Football". Los Angeles Times. 9 January 1988. Retrieved February 19, 2020.
  3. "Mr. Smith Survives at Washington : Former Antelope Valley Standout Stays Eligible, Becomes Feared Safety". Los Angeles Times. October 1992. Retrieved February 19, 2020.
  4. "1991 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2023-05-07.
  5. "'Pokes cut two quarterbacks". Retrieved February 19, 2020.
  6. "Greene Still Must Fit the System". Los Angeles Times. 17 October 1991. Retrieved February 19, 2020.
  7. "Zendejas Just Kicks Perfectly Along". Los Angeles Times. 7 November 1991. Retrieved February 19, 2018.
  8. "Transactions". The New York Times. 5 February 1992. Retrieved February 19, 2020.
  9. "Transactions". Retrieved February 19, 2020.
  10. "Transactions". Retrieved February 19, 2020.
  11. "Transactions". The New York Times. 11 November 1992. Retrieved February 19, 2020.
  12. "Transactions". The New York Times. 14 April 1993. Retrieved February 19, 2018.
  13. "Cowboys sign two players". Retrieved February 19, 2018.
  14. "Transactions". Retrieved February 19, 2020.
  15. "Transactions". Retrieved February 19, 2020.
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