Bucky Richardson

NFL player
Color=Maroon
fontcolor=White


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DateOfBirth=February 7, 1969
Birthplace=Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States
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Position=Quarterback
number=7
College=Texas A&M
DraftedYear=1992
DraftedRound=8/ Pick 220
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Stats=Y
DatabaseFootball=RICHABUC01
PFR=RichBu00
years=1992–1994
1995
1996
teams=Houston Oilers
Dallas Cowboys
Kansas City Chiefs
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John "Bucky" Powell Richardson (born February 7, 1969 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana) is a former quarterback for Texas A&M University who went on to play professionally for the NFL's Houston Oilers.

High School and College

Richardson attended Broadmoor High School in Baton Rouge, LA. where he starred in both baseball and football. He played collegiately at Texas A&M and made an immediate impact as a freshman coming off the bench and making his first appearance for the Aggies against Southern Miss and future NFL star Brett Favre, Richardson led the Aggies to a road victory in Jackson when he broke away in the fourth quarter on an 82-yard touchdown. In the Cotton Bowl that same season against Notre Dame. Richardson was named MVP after leading the Aggies to a come from behind victory in the 2nd half.

Against BYU in the 1990 Holiday Bowl, Richardson compiled 402 yards of total offense (203 pass, 199 run). He rushed for two touchdowns, passed for a touchdown, and caught a touchdown pass. Richardson was also an All-Southwest Conference pick his senior season in 1991, leading the Aggies with 1492 passing yards. He finished in 10th place in the Heisman Trophy voting that year.

During his Texas A&M career, Richardson rushed for 2,095 yards, a conference record for QBs. He played in three bowl games with the Aggies and led them to two SWC Championships. He finished his Aggie career 24-6-1 as a starter.

NFL

Richardson was drafted in the 8th round of the 1992 NFL Draft by the Houston Oilers. He played mostly in mop-up duty and even saw action on special teams during his first two seasons in the league, but when Oilers' QB Warren Moon was traded to the Vikings, Houston's quarterback position was up for grabs.

Incumbent backup Cody Carlson began the 1994 season under center, but when he separated his shoulder in the season openener, Richardson became the starting quarterback. He is fondly remembered by Houston fans for a play during a preseason exhibition game against the Dallas Cowboys. Late in the game and down by one score, Richardson led the Oilers within striking distance. The drive culminated with a play where with the right-handed Richardson, having his right arm pinned by a Cowboy defender, still had the composure and agility to switch the ball to his left hand and completed the winning touchdown pass with his off arm.

Unfortunately, the regular season would not be as memorable. Richardson was the starter for nearly half of the season and he split time with Carlson and Billy Joe Tolliver, none of the three being particularly effective as the Oilers stumbled their way to a league-worst 2-14 record. Richardson's last regular season game as a pro may have been his best, as he passed for over 200 yards, leading the Oilers in a 24-10 victory over the New York Jets in the Oiler's '94 season finale.

The Dallas Cowboys signed Richardson in August 1995, planning to use him on special teams and to back up Daryl Johnston at fullback, however Richardson did not see any regular season action. The Kansas City Chiefs signed him the following year and he capped off a 1996 preseason victory with a touchdown pass for the Chiefs against his former team the Cowboys. In spite of his preseason heroics, Richardson he never saw action in another regular season NFL game. He finished his career with 1,257 passing yards and 225 rushing yards on an outstanding 6.8 yards per carry average.

Personal life

Richardson resides in Missouri City, Texas with his wife Jenna and their three children. He is the co-owner of Environmental Improvements, Inc., a water and waste treatment company. [cite news|url=http://www.2theadvocate.com/sports/preps/featured/20633269.html|title=Broadmoor still on Richardson's mind]

References

External links

* [http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/RichBu00.htm ProFootballReference.com NFL statistics]
* [http://www.aggieathletics.com/press/pressRelease.php?PRID=10558 Aggie Athletics Press Release]
* [http://www.aggiesports.com/football/cottonbowl05/bucky88.htm Aggiesports.com article]
* [http://www.houstonprofootball.com/log/log15.html Houston Pro Football article]
* [http://www.kcchiefs.com/mm/images/dropc/dal4/chiefs_cowboys.pdf Preseason win with Chiefs]
* [http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-4297192.html Cowboys sign Richardson]