San Antonio football legend Richard Osborne dies at 71

The state championship of the Lee High School from 1971 is still a legendary performance in the football history of the San Antonio High School. The team started the career of College and the NFL some of the best athletes from Alamo City, but one of these legendary stars has now died.

Richard Osborne, the Star Tight End, who was appointed Texas High School Football player of the year this historic season, died on Wednesday, February 26, when his home in South Bexar County. He was 71 years old.

Osborne was the leading recipient during the 71 championship season. This season he caught 86 passes for 1,429 yards and 13 touchdowns and received all-steps and all-American when Lee Wichita Falls defeated 28-27 to win the title of class 6a. In this game Osborne got six passes for 138 yards, replied the start in the second half for a touchdown of 86 yards and achieved the game gain.

Dave Campbell's Texas football wrote: “In a time of Wishbone running attacks, safe recipient Richard Osborne was ahead of his time.” The state championship completed Osborne's high school career, but he followed it with four seasons at Texas A&M and received the All-Südwest conference before being selected in the NFL design of 1976. Between 1976 and 79 he played for the Philadelphia Eagles, New York Jets and St. Louis Cardinals.

Osborne was included in the Texas High School Football Hall of Fame in 1993.