Richard Caster, a 13-year NFL veteran and former tight end for the New Orleans Saints, passed away on Friday, February 2, as the Mississippi Clarion Ledger first reported.
Between 1970 and 1982, the 6-foot-5, 228-pound tight end and wide receiver had 322 catches for 5515 yards and 45 touchdowns. After being selected by the New York Jets in the second round (46th overall) out of Jackson State University, Caster was also named to three Pro Bowls in 1972, 1974, and 1975. He played his first eight seasons with the Jets.
The tight end had his second-to-last season with the Saints, participating in all four of the team’s games during the 1981 campaign and hauling in seven receptions for 108 yards.
Additionally, Caster played for a time for the Washington football team and the Houston Oilers.
“My greatest accomplishment is that I was able to play in the league for 13 years at a time when the average career was well below 13. In 2018, Caster said to NewYorkJets.com, “I think it was about two, two and a half years when I came in.” “I was real proud of my ability to still have some talent where I was able to be traded and signed late in my career to bring some value to some teams.”
At the age of 75, Caster battled sickness until passing away peacefully in his sleep, a family spokesperson named Kenny Zore told The Associated Press.
His wife Susan, sons Max, Sean, and Richard J. Caster, daughters Shannon Myla and Alona Nicole, and five grandkids survive him.0