Tex Richards

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Robert "Tex" William Richards, Jr. (August 9, 1889 – November 7, 1918) was a football player at the University of Pittsburgh from 1907 to 1910. He was the Captain and Fullback of the only undefeated and unscored upon team in the history of the University of Pittsburgh.

Richards was the son of Robert William Richards Sr. (of Welsh descent from northeastern Pennsylvania) and Hannah Sarah Richards (school teacher from Melbourne, Victoria, Australia). Robert Sr. travelled in the Pacific Rim in the 1880s selling books along the way. He met a Melbourne school teacher, Hannah Sarah Harrex. They were married in 1888.

Robert Jr. was in Melbourne, Australia to Robert Sr. and Hannah. He was first of four children. The other children included: David John, Harry Charles and Ethlyn Ruth. Harry and Ethlyn died as children in Australia. Robert Sr. and Hannah with their two boys, Robert and David, immigrated to U.S. in 1901 and settled in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania

Robert was a good student at Wilkinsburg High School from which he graduated in 1905. His mother Hannah was Head of Household for Andrew Mellon and his family. Andrew Mellon later became Secretary of the Treasury [1]. For a time Robert and David were bodyguards for the Mellon family.

Robert graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He was President of his class and in the Alpha Alpha Fraternity. He was on the Track and Field team and the Football team all four years. He earned letters in both sports. Robert's brother David also played on the 1909 and 1910 teams. Robert returned to Pitt to help with subsequent teams after 1910. He was an active alumnus, participating in dinners and events.

In 1915 Robert married Jennie Elton Wyatt. In 1916 they had their first and only child, Darlie Virginia. Robert worked at the Standard Steel Car Company in Butler, Pennsylvania, as a mechanical engineer. For a time he served in the National Guard. He died from the Spanish flu pandemic in Butler.

University of Pittsburgh Football Seasons 1908-1910

1908

11 Wins/1 Loss

Points for Pitt 140/Points for Opponents 36

Total Touchdowns: 16

"Tex" Touchdowns: 6

1909

6 Wins/2 Losses/1 Tie

Points for Pitt 94/Points for Opponents 11

Total Touchdowns: 15

"Tex" Touchdowns: 7

1910

9 Wins/0 Losses

Points for Pitt 282/Points for Opponents 0

Total Touchdowns: 42

"Tex" Touchdowns: 13 reported by press; 11 reported by The Owl University of Pittsburgh Yearbook

1908-1910

26 Wins/3 Losses/1 Tie

Points for Pitt 516/Points for Opponents 47

Total Touchdowns: 73

"Tex" Touchdowns: 26 reported by press; 24 reported by The Owl University of Pittsburgh Yearbook

"Tex" Touchdown Percentage: 35.6% based on press coverage; 32.8% based on The Owl University of Pittsburgh Yearbook