SAD NEWS:A former New York Jets pro bowler passes away at the age of 75 during the 2023–24 postseason

On the weekend of the Pro Bowl, The NFL world mourns the loss of a former three-time Pro Bowler and New York Jets star. Per ESPN’s Rich Cimini, longtime NFL tight end and receiver Richard Caster died at 75 this weekend. A family spokesman confirmed Caster died in his sleep Friday after a long fight with an illness. Caster also played for the Houston Oilers, Washington Redskins, and New Orleans Saints. He caught 322 passes for 5,515 yards and 45 scores during his NFL career.

Former second-round draft pick Richard Caster, tight end for the New York Jets

Born in Mobile, Alabama, Caster is a six-foot-five, 228-pound tight end and wide receiver who attended Williamson High School before deciding to play collegiate ball at Jackson State. In the 1970 NFL Draft, Caster was chosen by the New York Jets with the 46th overall choice. After playing for 13 years and making three trips to the Pro Bowl, Caster went on to become a star in the NFL.

Of the 95 Jackson State alumni who have played in the NFL, Caster is only one of 11 to have made the Pro Bowl at least three times, according to Pro-Football-Reference. Caster’s NFL seasons were equaled only by teammates Jackson State Tigers Walter Payton, Coy Bacon, Harold Jackson, and Jackie Slater.

As a rookie in 1970 with the New York Jets, Rich Caster caught 19 passes for 393 yards and three scores before becoming a full-time starter. Caster posted career numbers in 1972, catching 39 passes for 833 yards and ten touchdowns while making his first Pro Bowl. The Alabama native’s best game came against the Baltimore Colts in late September, catching six passes for 204 yards and three touchdowns. Quarterback Joe Namath threw for 496 yards and six scores, outdueling five-time All-Pro gunslinger Johnny Unitas. 

Caster returned to form in 1973 with back-to-back Pro Bowl seasons following a somewhat disappointing year. During that time, he caught 85 passes for 1,565 yards and 11 touchdowns. In 1978, Caster moved out of New York. The Jackson State graduate made the playoffs for the first time in his career in his rookie season with the Houston Oilers, when he caught 20 passes for 216 yards and five touchdowns. In two playoff games, he caught eight receptions for 67 yards. Caster played for the New Orleans Saints for four games in 1981 following three seasons with the Oilers, and he ended the season with the Washington Redskins. In 1982, Caster’s last season in the NFL, Washington and Washington won the Super Bowl.