JACKSON – Former Jackson State football great, Earnest Richardson, passed away Monday following a long battle with cancer. Richardson is one of the four Richardson brothers to make an NFL roster. He played with the Cleveland Browns in 1974 as a tight end. He is the only member of the JSU Richardson family to play on the defensive side of the ball.
While at Jackson State, he played linebacker under head coach Bob Hill and played with future NFL starters Walter Payton, Jackie Slater and Robert Brazile. “Yates,” as his friends and teammates used to call him, was a Tiger from 1969-72 and played linebacker and defensive end. He burst onto the scene during the 1971 season. That season was cut short for him, after getting hurt in the fifth game against Grambling. He bounced back in 1972 to have a productive season and was an All-American candidate.
Richardson’s funeral is set for Monday, July 8, at 10 a.m. at New Hope Baptist Church. The address is 5202 Watkins Dr., Jackson, MS 39206.