Tony Richardson (American football)
Fullback | |||||||||
Personal information | |||||||||
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Born: | Frankfurt, West Germany | December 17, 1971||||||||
Height: | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | ||||||||
Weight: | 240 lb (109 kg) | ||||||||
Career information | |||||||||
High school: | Daleville (AL) | ||||||||
College: | Auburn | ||||||||
Undrafted: | 1994 | ||||||||
Career history | |||||||||
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||||||||
Career highlights and awards | |||||||||
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Career NFL statistics | |||||||||
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Player stats at NFL.com · PFR |
Antonio Richardson (born December 17, 1971) is an American former
He is considered one of the best fullbacks in NFL history having blocked for 1,000 yards rushers in nine consecutive NFL seasons in addition to leading the Kansas City Chiefs in rushing yards in 2000. During those seasons he blocked for multiple Pro Bowl running backs including Priest Holmes, Larry Johnson, Adrian Peterson and Thomas Jones.
Early years
Richardson did not start playing football until attending Daleville High School in Daleville, Alabama. As a senior, he posted 1,003 rushing yards. He also competed in basketball and baseball.
He accepted a football scholarship from Auburn University, where he was a three-year starter. As a true freshman, he became the second player to start his first game at Auburn for head coach Pat Dye.[1]
As a junior, he began blocking for two-time All-SEC running back
He finished his college career with 162 carries for 715 rushing yards, 9 rushing touchdowns, 44 receptions for 395 receiving yards and 2 receiving touchdowns.
In 2015, he was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame.[2]
Professional career
Dallas Cowboys
Richardson was signed as an
Kansas City Chiefs
On February 28, 1995, Richardson signed as a free agent with the Kansas City Chiefs.[5] He started one game in that season, and was noted for blocking for Hall of Famer Marcus Allen on his way to his 100th career touchdown.
In 1999, he became the starting fullback for the team, blocking for Donnell Bennett and Bam Morris. He later blocked for record setting running back Priest Holmes and the most productive seasons of Larry Johnson's career.
In 2000, he was given a chance to be the team's featured back in the fifteenth game against the Denver Broncos, posting 23 carries for 156 rushing yards and one touchdown. In 2001, the Chiefs signed free agent Priest Holmes and Richardson helped him lead the NFL in rushing yards (1,555). In 2002, with Richardson's blocking contribution, Holmes had the best season by a running back in Chiefs history, registering 1,615 rushing yards, 672 receiving yards and 24 touchdowns.
Richardson was named to USA Today's All-Joe Team in 2000 and 2001. He was selected to represent the AFC in the 2004 and 2005 Pro Bowls.
In 2016, he was inducted into the team's Hall of Fame during the 2016 season.[6]
Minnesota Vikings
On March 21, 2006, Richardson signed with the Minnesota Vikings.[7] He suffered a broken forearm in the ninth game against the Green Bay Packers.[8] On November 22, he was placed on the injured reserve list. He was replaced with second year player Jeff Dugan.[9] Richardson contributed to running back Chester Taylor's only career 1,000 rushing yard season.
In 2007, he appeared in 14 games with 3 starts and blocked for rookie Adrian Peterson. He was selected to represent the NFC in the 2008 Pro Bowl. At the end of the season, the Vikings did not re-sign Richardson, opting to pay for the cheaper Thomas Tapeh.
New York Jets
On March 6, 2008, Richardson signed a one-year contract with the New York Jets, reuniting with his former Chiefs running back coach Jimmy Raye II.[10] He was re-signed by the team on February 27, 2009.[11] Following the expiration of his previous contract, Richardson, once again, signed with the team on March 16, 2010.[12] He was released on September 5,[13] but a day later he was re-signed after the Jets reached a deal with cornerback Darrelle Revis.[14][15] He wasn't re-signed after the season.
He was the recipient of the
Personal life
His father,
He received his
References
- ^ "Where Are They Now – Tony Richardson". Auburn University. September 5, 2015. Retrieved March 15, 2020.
- ^ "Inductees – Tony Richardson". July 16, 2019. Retrieved March 15, 2020.
- ^ "TRANSACTIONS". The New York Times. April 30, 1994. Retrieved March 15, 2020.
- ^ "TRANSACTIONS". The New York Times. August 31, 1994. Retrieved March 15, 2020.
- ^ "TRANSACTIONS". The Baltimore Sun. March 1, 1995. Retrieved March 15, 2020.
- ^ "Tony Richardson to be Inducted into Chiefs Hall of Fame". Chiefs.com. Retrieved March 15, 2020.
- ^ "Chiefs FB Richardson joins Vikings". ESPN. March 21, 2006. Retrieved March 15, 2020.
- ^ "Vikings FB Richardson may be lost for season". ESPN. November 15, 2006. Retrieved March 15, 2020.
- ^ "Dugan receives five-year contract extension". ESPN. December 13, 2006. Retrieved March 15, 2020.
- ^ Cimini, Rich (March 6, 2008). "Jets sign Richardson to one-year deal". New York Daily News. Archived from the original on October 24, 2012. Retrieved March 8, 2020.
- ^ "Bleary-eyed, early morning AFC East roundup". ESPN. February 27, 2009. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
- ^ Rosenthal, Gregg (March 16, 2010). "Jets re-sign Tony Richardson". ProFootballTalk. Retrieved March 8, 2020.
- ^ Rich Cimini (September 5, 2010). "Tony Richardson's release roils Jets". ESPN. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
- ^ Rich Cimini (September 7, 2010). "Jets re-sign Tony Richardson". ESPN. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
- ^ "Revis signing opens door for Richardson's return to Jets". NFL.com. Associated Press. September 6, 2010. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
- ^ Garriott, Khalil (February 4, 2011), Jets' Richardson Wins NFLPA's Top Honor at PULSE Awards, NFL Players Association, archived from the original on February 9, 2011, retrieved February 20, 2020
- ^ "Part II: Made To Last". SI.com. August 23, 2010. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
- ^ "Tennessee's Mawae elected president of NFL Players Association". ESPN. March 19, 2008. Retrieved August 15, 2020.