Richard Caster, Former Jets Pro Bowl TE, Dies at Age 75

Former NFL tight end Richard Caster died at the age of 75 after a long illness.

According to Dennis Waszak Jr. of the Associated Press, family representative Kenny Zore confirmed Caster died in his sleep at his home on Long Island on Friday morning. J.T. Keith of the Mississippi Clarion Ledger reported that Caster was battling Parkinson's Disease.

A second-round pick in the 1970 NFL draft out of Jackson State, Caster spent the first eight seasons of his 13-year career with the New York Jets. He also played for the Houston Oilers, New Orleans Saints and won Super Bowl XVII with Washington in his final season in 1982.

Caster was a favorite target of New York quarterback Joe Namath and earned three Pro Bowl selections during his time with the Jets. He entered the league as a wide receiver but switched to tight end at the recommendation of head coach Weeb Ewbank because of his combination of size and speed at 6'5", 228 pounds with a 4.5 40-yard dash.

Caster finished his career with 322 receptions for 5,515 yards and 45 touchdowns, and his 4,434 yards with New York ranks 10th in franchise history.

"I'm most proud of being able to play as long as I did, getting 13 years in the league during a period where the career average was a heck of a lot less than 13," Caster told the Jets' website in 2018. "When I came in, I think it was somewhere around two, 2 1/2 years. 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."

Caster is survived by his wife, Susan, five children and five grandchildren. His son Max is a pro wrestler signed to AEW.