When he was younger, he grew up looking up the family tree at Uncle Ernie McMillan, an offensive lineman of the National Football League’s St. Louis Football Cardinals from 1961 to 1974, even though he loved baseball more.
For Howard Richards, however, everything changed in the mid-1970s when Leon Anton, the football coach at St. Louis’ Southwest High School, planted a seed in his mind. Suddenly, Richards envisioned himself playing big-time college football, unbeknownst that Anton was secretly tipping off a certain Hall of Fame sports writer at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
“It wasn’t until later,” Richards said, chuckling, “that I realized he probably had a lot of do with me ending up at Mizzou. Bob Broeg, the sports writer, was married to his sister.”
Richards went on to a tremendous career at Mizzou and later played for three Dallas Cowboys playoff teams, and it’s why the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame is proud to induct Richards with the Class of 2018.
In fact, his induction is part of the 2018 Enshrinement presented by Killian Construction, set for Sunday, January 28 at the University Plaza Hotel & Convention Center in Springfield. Associate sponsors are Advertising Plus, Hiland Dairy, Hillyard, Inc., and White River Valley Electric. (For tickets, call 417-889-3100 & see information below.)
Richards was a standout offensive lineman for the Tigers from 1977 to 1980, with his final three seasons highlighted by bowl games and 23 wins, including victories against Notre Dame and Nebraska in 1978.
And nobody was about to drag him out of the lineup. Richards never missed a game in his collegiate career. Beginning with the final four games of his freshman season, he began a streak of 40 consecutive games as a starter at right tackle. He also co-captained the 1980 team with eventual New Orleans Saints cornerback Johnnie Poe and was named All-Big Eight Conference.
Eventually, Richards was a first-round selection in the 1981 draft and played seven years in the NFL – six with the Cowboys, one with the Seattle Seahawks – as he helped Dallas to three playoff berths, including two NFC East Championships (1981, 1985). He later joined the Central Intelligence Agency from 1990 to 2003 and, among other duties, worked closely with the White House, Congressional staffers and foreign policy experts, as well as serving overseas in Israel.
“When I grew up, I played with older kids who were great role models,” Richards said. “And I really started paying attention to the game, the NFL more than college football.”
McMillian was in the twilight of his career when Richards neared high school, but Richards took mental notes of what the Cardinals told the press.
“He was the right tackle for the Big Red, and (Dan) Dierdorf and (coach Jim) Hanifan would say he was more versatile to play both tackle positions,” Richards said. “And he had a quiet demeanor. I tried to emulate a lot of his qualities. You don’t necessarily lead with your voice but with your actions on the field.”
At age 15, Richards grew six inches on his way to a 6-foot-6, 260-pound frame. Anton shepherded him into the weight room, too. Almost all of the Big Eight Conference teams came calling, as did a few Big Ten Conference coaches. But because Notre Dame games were televised in St. Louis, Richards had his heart set on South Bend.
“Fortunately for Mizzou, they didn’t offer me a scholarship,” Richards said. “I wasn’t disappointed. Mizzou was the perfect landing spot.”
Several St. Louis players on the roster helped to ease his transition, as did assistants such as John Kadlec, Tony Steponovich, John Fainman and Curtis Jones.
“I had a desire to be the best and be a leader,” Richards said. “For me, it was great to have a football scholarship so my parents didn’t have to pay.”
In college, Richards blocked for quarterback Phil Bradley and running back James Wilder and, in Dallas, he helped plow the way for future Hall of Famer Tony Dorsett.
In choosing Mizzou, which featured passing and running offenses, Richards arrived to the NFL well-prepared.
“My development was really from being coached to do it right in college,” Richards said, “but I also picked up on offensive line play from watching the NFL on Sundays.”
Richards’ first two NFL seasons in Dallas led to the NFC Championship games, where the Cowboys were eliminated by the eventual Super Bowl champions – the Joe Montana-led San Francisco 49ers and the Joe Theismann-led Washington Redskins.
Unfortunately, injuries led to his retirement after the 1987 season. In 2017, Richards became the Assistant Athletic Director for Community Relations at the University of Missouri, where his daughter, Syndny is a freshman.
“When I reflect back (at his career), sometimes it is a little hard to believe,” Richards said. “I’ve come a long way from St. Louis, Missouri, and I’ve had many, many great role models.”
…………………………………………..
Missouri Sports Hall of Fame’s Enshrinement Ceremonies of 2018 Presented by Killian Construction
When: Sunday, January 28
Morning reception: 11 a.m., presented by Meek’s The Builder’s Choice, at the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame, 3861 E. Stan Musial Drive in Springfield.
Afternoon festivities: 4 p.m. reception, 5 p.m. dinner & ceremony at University Plaza Hotel & Convention Center, Springfield
Class of 2018: Mike Garrett (Kansas City Chiefs), Lee Smith (St. Louis Cardinals), Howard Richards (University of Missouri football), Jim Otis (St. Louis Football Cardinals & Kansas City Chiefs), Martin MacDonald (Conservationist, Outdoorsman, Runner), football coach Gary Barnett (Northwestern University & University of Colorado), softball coach Holly Hesse (Missouri State University), Doug Elgin (Missouri Valley Conference Commissioner), Dr. Brian Mahaffey (Missouri State University, St. Louis Cardinals), shot putter Christian Cantwell (Eldon High School/University of Missouri/Olympics), basketball standout Kerensa Barr Cassis (West Plains High School/Mizzou), Dan Lucy (KOLR 10 TV Sports Director), Rockhurst High School football coach Tony Severino, basketball coach Steve Tappmeyer (Northwest Missouri State University, UMSL), Rick Grayson (PGA teaching professional), Learfield, the Lamar High School Football Program, Springfield-Greene County Park Board, Independent Printing – John Q. Hammons Founders Award, Rick Todd of Herschend Family Entertainment – President’s Award.
Sponsorship opportunities: Tables of 10 are $1,500 and include an autographed poster (a rendering by renowned artist Dayne Dudley), recognition in the printed program and at the table. Individual tickets are $150. Numerous other sponsorships are available, including congratulatory ads, trading cards and 20-month calendars.
Call the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame: 417-889-3100.
