Richard Bishop (gridiron football)

Richard Bishop (March 23, 1950 – September 26, 2016) was an American football defensive tackle who played for the New England Patriots.[1] He played college football at Marshalltown Community College in Marshalltown, Iowa where he was a First-team NJCAA All-American as a defensive end. Following his career at Marshalltown, Bishop played for the University of Louisville. He died in Miami, Florida, in 2016.[2]

Richard recorded 30.5 sacks, recovered 6 fumbles and blocked a field goal attempt while playing on the defensive line for the New England Patriots over the 1976–81 seasons in the National Football League. He was a member of the New England Patriots 1980s All-Decade Team. He shared in a sack of Ken Stabler and Dan Manucci, recorded 1 sack of Mike Rae, Ron Jaworski, Ken Anderson, Scott Hunter, Greg Landry, Matt Robinson, Marc Wilson, David Woodley and 1+1⁄2 sacks of Dan Fouts. He had 2 sacks of Joe Ferguson and Jack Thompson and 3 sacks of Pro Football Hall of Famer Bob Griese. Recorded 5 sacks of Bert Jones and 8 sacks of Jets QB Richard Todd. Richard recovered fumbles by Terry Bradshaw, Mike Hogan, John Riggins, Joe Washington and Richard Todd. He blocked a 40-yard field goal attempt by Mark Moseley in the Patriots 24–22 loss to the Washington Redskins on 10-25-81. He recorded one safety when he sacked Bob Griese in the Patriots 33–24 win over Miami on 10-22-78. Richard participated in 3 sacks of Dan Pastorini in the Patriots 31-14 Divisional Playoff Game loss to Houston on 12-31-78.