John "Bucky" Powell Richardson is a former quarterback for Texas Agricultural and Mechanical University who went on to play professionally for the "s Houston Oilers.
Education
Richardson attended Broadmoor High School in Baton Rouge, Los Angeles, where he starred in both baseball and football. He played collegiately at Texas Agricultural and Mechanical and made an immediate impact as a freshman coming off the bench and making his first appearance for the Aggies against Southern Mission and future star Brett Favre, Richardson led the Aggies to a road victory in Jackson when he broke away in the fourth quarter on an 82-yard touchdown. In the Cotton Bowl Classic that same season against Notre Dame.
Richardson was named Most Valuable Player after leading the Aggies to a come from behind victory in the 2nd half.
Against Brigham Young University in the 1990 Holiday Bowl, Richardson compiled 402 yards of total offense (203 pass, 199 run).
He rushed for two touchdowns, passed for a touchdown, and caught a touchdown pass. Richardson was also an All-Southwest Conference pick his senior season in 1991, leading the Aggies with 1492 passing yards.
He finished in 10th place in the Heisman Trophy voting that year.
During his Texas Agricultural and Mechanical career, Richardson rushed for 2,095 yards, a conference record for QBs. He played in three bowl games with the Aggies and led them to two SWC Championships.
He finished his Aggie career 24-6-1 as a starter.
Career
Richardson was drafted in the 8th round of the 1992 Draft by the Houston Oilers. He played mostly in mop-up duty and even saw action on special teams during his first two seasons in the league, but when Oilers" QB Warren Moon was traded to the Vikings, Houston"s quarterback position was up for grabs. Incumbent backup Cody Carlson began the 1994 season under center, but when he separated his shoulder in the season openener, Richardson became the starting quarterback.
He is fondly remembered by Houston fans for a play during a preseason exhibition game against the Dallas Cowboys.
Late in the game and down by one score, Richardson led the Oilers within striking distance. The drive culminated with a play during which he, a righthander, completed the winning touchdown pass with his left arm.
Unfortunately, the regular season would not be as memorable. Richardson was the starter for nearly half of the season and he split time with Carlson and Billy Joe Tolliver, none of the three being particularly effective as the Oilers stumbled their way to a league-worst 2-14 record.
Richardson"s last regular season game as a pro may have been his best, as he passed for over 200 yards, leading the Oilers in a 24-10 victory over the New York Jets in the Oiler"s "94 season finale.
The Dallas Cowboys signed Richardson in August 1995, planning to use him on special teams and to back up Daryl Johnston at fullback, however Richardson did not see any regular season action. The Kansas City Chiefs signed him the following year and he capped off a 1996 preseason victory with a touchdown pass for the Chiefs against his former team the Cowboys. In spite of his preseason heroics, Richardson never saw action in another regular season game.
He finished his career with 1,257 passing yards and 225 rushing yards on an outstanding 6.8 yards per carry average.
