Former Jets TE, Pro Bowler Richard Caster dies at 75

Richard Caster, a former tight end and wide receiver for the New York Jets,

passed away. During his 13-year NFL career, Caster was selected for three Pro Bowls. His age was 75.

 

After a protracted illness, Caster passed away peacefully in his sleep on Friday

morning in Long Island, New York, according to family representative Kenny Zore.

 

During his NFL career, Caster—a 1970 second-round selection by the Jets out of

Jackson State—caught 322 catches for 5,515 yards and 45 touchdowns.

 

Joe Namath became a favorite target of Caster after he played for New York for his first eight seasons. Coach Weeb

Ewbank originally had the 6-foot-5, 228-pound Caster play wide receiver when he first joined the league, but because of

his combination of size and speed, he was eventually moved to tight end. both in terms of size and speed.

 

In 2018, Caster reminisced about the defensive strategy used by most teams, which involved trying to cover the tight

end with a linebacker. The interview was conducted with the Jets website. And,

truly, I could outrun almost every linebacker I ever encountered. However, it was hardly a secret at all. “All right,

let’s see if this holds up and how this matches up.” It was not upholdable.

 

“The majority of the folks I had the opportunity to flee from, I did so. Getting a favorable matchup was the main goal.”

Caster was selected to three consecutive Pro Bowls with the Jets: in 1972, 1974,

and 1975. On the team’s career receiving list, his 4,434 yards with New York rank 10th.

 

Caster finished with six receptions for

204 yards and received three of Namath’s six touchdown passes in Week 2 of the 1972 season, as New York defeated Johnny Unitas and the

Baltimore Colts 44-34. During that season, Caster recorded career highs of

833 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. In 1975, he received 47 receptions, a personal best.

 

After that, Caster played for three years in

Houston before sharing the 1981

campaign between Washington and New Orleans. He participated in one Super

Bowl game as a member of the Washington team that ended the Season of 1982.

 

“I’m most proud of being able to play as long as I did, getting 13 years in the league during a period where the career

average was a heck of a lot less than 13,” Caster stated on the Jets’ official website. The last time I checked in was probably

two or two and a half years ago. I was quite proud of my ability to remain talented enough to be signed and traded

late in my career to still be useful to a few clubs.”

 

Sons Richard J. Caster, Max Caster, and Sean

Caster; daughters Shannon Myla

and Alona Nicole; and five grandchildren survive Caster. Max is an All Elite Wrestling-signed professional wrestler.