Ex Jets Pro Bowl Receiver Rich Caster Dies at 75

Rich Caster, who played both as a receiver and a tight end for the New York Jets from 1970-77, passed away at age 75.

Former New York Jets receiver Rich Caster, who played 13 seasons in the NFL, died Friday at the age of 75 after battling Parkinson’s disease, per The Clarion Ledger.

A native of Mobile, Alabama, Caster played his collegiate football at Jackson State University, where he also earned membership into the Phi Beta Sigma fraternity. At 6-5, 228, he was one of the gridiron pioneers in playing a hybrid role, combining both the receiver and tight end positions. Caster was inducted into the Jackson State Hall of Fame and was named to its All-Century and All-Centennial Team.

Photo by James Flores

James Hartfield, a former teammate at JSU, confirmed death Caster’s to the Clarion Ledger on Sunday.

“I am really sad to hear about his passing,” Hartfield said. “He was a great person and great wide receiver." 

Caster was selected by the Jets in the second round (No. 46 overall) in the 1970 NFL Draft. He played eight seasons for the Jets (1970-77) and had 245 receptions — 36 of which were for touchdowns — and 4,434 yards, placing him 10th in franchise history. The tight end/wide receiver was named to three Pro Bowls — all with the Jets — in 1972, 1974 and 1975.

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He played another five seasons with the Houston Oilers, New Orleans Saints and ended his 13-year career with Washington, where he was a member of the championship team which defeated the Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl XVII. He finished his career with 322 receptions, 5,515 yards and 45 touchdowns, averaging 17.1 yards per catch.

According to the Ledger’s report, Caster was living in New York at the time of his passing.

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