1976 Profile: Richard Neal

Defensive Tackle
No. 81
Southern
"Richard put together a consistent but injury-prone 1975 season and started nine games at defensive right end. He missed five games with ankle and knee injuries and did not dress for the club's final home game against Dallas. Richard is a strong player and solid against the run and the coaching staff thinks he's coming into his prime, but that he needs more work on his pass rush. Expected to be one of the leaders of the defense along with veteran Billy Newsome, he recorded three and one-half sacks in 1975 including a big play in the second Miami game. Richard faces a battle with Mark Lomas for the No. 1 spot.
He started eight games at right end in 1974, sharing duties with Lomas, and came on with a strong second half of the season after battling weight problems. He tied for the team leadership in sacks with five with Lomas and Carl Barzilauskas. Richard had four dumps in his final three games while the Jets reeled off six straight wins. In 1973 he played three of the four defensive line positions before settling at right tackle. Richard missed only two games in his career prior to 1975 and once played in 68 consecutive games.
Richard was a regular defensive tackle for New Orleans and was their captain in 1972. He was a No. 2 pick by the Saints (1969) and came to the Jets in a trade in January 1973 along with Delles Howell for No. 2 and No. 3 draft picks. He served as the Jets player representative in 1974, the year the team's final preseason game was cancelled because of the players' strike.
All-NAIA in 1968, Richard won four grid letters and was captain as a senior. He was All-SWAC. He has a B.A. in political science.
Richard was an all-state athlete in high school, earning three letters in football and one in track. He works in public relations for Falstaff Brewing Co. His hometown is Shreveport, Louisiana."

-1976 New York Jets Media Guide