Richard Caster, a former tight end and wide receiver for the New York Jets, passed away at the age of 75 on Friday morning. Kenny Zore, speaking on behalf of the family, confirmed to the Associated Press that Caster peacefully passed away in his sleep following a prolonged illness.
Caster was selected by the Jets in the second round of the 1970 draft from Jackson State University, and he spent the initial eight seasons of his 12-year NFL tenure with the team. He earned Pro Bowl honors three times (in 1972, 1974, and 1975), all while playing for the Jets.
Throughout his career, Caster amassed 322 receptions for 5,515 yards and 45 touchdowns. Additionally, he had stints with the Houston Oilers, New Orleans Saints, and Washington Football Team.
His legacy with the Jets includes ranking 10th in franchise history for most receiving yards, totaling 4,434 yards.
Reflecting on his career in a 2018 interview on the Jets website, Caster expressed his pride in playing for 13 years in the league, particularly during an era where the average career span was significantly shorter. He highlighted his ability to maintain talent and provide value to teams even late in his career through trades and signings.