ATLANTA, Ga. – Former Jackson State University wide receiver Richard Caster was officially enshrined into the Southwestern Athletic Conference Hall of Fame Friday evening.
Caster was indicted during the SWAC's ceremony in conjunction with the Celebration Bowl, along with Alabama State's Freda Freeman-Jackson, Alcorn State's Teresa Hooker, Grambling State's Autrey Lane Howell (posthumously) and Patricia Cage-Bibbs, Arkansas-Pine Bluff and Mississippi Valley State's George Ivory(Legend), Prairie View A&M's Dr. John Grandville (Legends - Posthumously), and Texas Southern's John "Doc" Harvey.
The Mobile, Ala. native was drafted in the second round in the 1970 draft by the New York Jets. He played 13 seasons for the Jets (1970-77), Houston Oilers (1978-1980), New Orleans Saints (1981) and Washington Redskins (1981-82) and won a Super Bowl in his final season. Over the course of his NFL career, Caster finished with 332 receptions for 5515 yards and 45 touchdowns.
Caster was elected to the Pro Bowl on three separate occasions (1972, 1974, 1975).
Caster remains active with the NFL and the Jets. In 2010, he testified in front of Congress to urge the Congress to take steps in protecting youth from head injuries involving sports. Since retiring from the NFL, Caster has stayed involved in youth sports, coaching, teaching and mentoring youths for numerous youth programs including the Boys Club in the Bronx. Caster has started mentoring programs for youth sports, often turning to former NFL players to help in the mentoring process.
