Tony Richardson accepted the 2nd Annual Pop Warner Round Table Award at this year's banquet, an award presented to adult role models who have achieved remarkable goals in their professional and personal life, provided a positive contribution to the community, and recognize the importance of young people pursuing positive goals.
A member of the talented Chiefs backfield, Tony Richardson, or "T-Rich," has been a vital asset on and off the football field ever since coming into the league in 1994 as a free agent.
Richardson, who is entering his eighth year in the NFL, plays the game with passion and humility, bringing a selfless attitude to work every day. He is a true professional who epitomizes what it means to be a true team player. After serving as Kansas City's most productive ground gainer in 2000, moved back to his less-glamorous fullback post in 2001 to make room for Priest Holmes, who simply proceeded to lead the entire league in rushing with Richardson serving as his lead blocker
A three-sport letterman at Daleville (Ala.) High School, he starred in football, and basketball as well as track and field, and he managed to pile up 1,003 yards and seven scores as a senior, despite missing three games.
Richardson is actively involved with Special Olympics in the Kansas City area, where he established the "Rich In Spirit" Foundation in 2000 which benefits Special Olympics, Athletes in Action and other charitable organizations. A priority for the foundation is raising money for school supplies in 2001. He also served as Chairman of the Buck Buchanan Special Olympics Sports Festival in '99 and 2000, has hosted the Special Olympics Punt, Pass and Kick competition in Kansas City from '99-01, and served as a spokesperson for a Special Olympics Car Raffle promotion with Grant Wistrom of the St. Louis Rams.
Richardson recently worked as a sales and marketing intern for the Chiefs and Kansas City Wizards soccer team during the 2000 off-season, and the sports department of NBC affiliate KSHB-TV 41 during the 2001 off-season. Other events he has been a part of include a golf tournament with Kansas City Royals All-Star first baseman Mike Sweeney this spring which benefited Athletes in Action, and serving Chairman of the Kansas City Chiefs "Out For Blood" Blood Drive vs. the Denver Broncos.
Richardson currently resides in Overland Park, Kansas, and is the proud parent of a pair of Italian Mastiffs named Sampson and Imani.
A member of the talented Chiefs backfield, Tony Richardson, or "T-Rich," has been a vital asset on and off the football field ever since coming into the league in 1994 as a free agent.