Anthony Richardson Bio
Anthony Dashawn Richardson Sr. (born May 22, 2002) is an American professional football quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Florida Gators and was selected by the Colts fourth overall in the 2023 NFL draft. Standing 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighing approximately 244 pounds, Richardson is recognized for his rare combination of size, arm strength, and rushing ability at the quarterback position.
Richardson joined an exclusive group of quarterbacks to record a perfect Relative Athletic Score at the NFL Scouting Combine. He became a full-time starter for the Colts as a rookie in 2023 before his season was cut short by a shoulder injury. Entering his third professional season in 2025, he continues to develop his passing accuracy and overall consistency as he competes for a starting role in Indianapolis.
Early Life and Background
Anthony Dashawn Richardson Sr. was born on May 22, 2002, in Miami, Florida. He later lived in Gainesville, Florida, where he attended Loften High School. Despite his enrollment at Loften, Richardson played quarterback for Eastside High School’s football team, commuting between schools to pursue his athletic development.
During his high school career at Eastside, Richardson emerged as a dynamic dual-threat quarterback. He recorded 4,633 passing yards with 37 passing touchdowns, and he added 1,633 rushing yards with 41 rushing touchdowns. His blend of passing production and rushing production drew attention from college scouts throughout the region.
Richardson committed to play college football at the University of Florida, choosing the in-state Gators over other programs. His decision to remain in Florida allowed him to play in the Southeastern Conference, one of the most competitive conferences in college football, and to develop in front of a familiar fan base.
Path to American Football
Richardson arrived at the University of Florida as a highly regarded recruit in 2020, though he appeared in just four games during his first year. He completed one of two passes for 27 yards with a touchdown and an interception, and he was able to redshirt his first year of collegiate eligibility while adjusting to the speed and complexity of the college game.
As a sophomore in 2021, Richardson entered the season as the backup to Emory Jones. He earned a notable opportunity against the LSU Tigers, where he replaced Jones and completed 10 of 19 passes for 167 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions while also scoring a rushing touchdown. That performance demonstrated his potential as both a passer and a runner.
Richardson officially became the starting quarterback for the Florida Gators in 2022, and in the season opener he helped lead a 29–26 upset over the seventh-ranked Utah Utes on September 3, 2022. Later that month, in a 38–33 loss to the Tennessee Volunteers, he recorded 453 passing yards, two touchdowns, and an interception to go along with 17 carries for 62 yards and two touchdowns. He finished the season with 2,549 passing yards, 17 touchdowns, and nine interceptions, plus 654 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns, compiling a 6–6 record as a starter. He declared for the 2023 NFL draft following the conclusion of his college career.
Anthony Richardson Career
Early Career (2023)
Anthony Richardson was selected by the Indianapolis Colts with the fourth overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft. He joined Cam Newton and Daunte Culpepper as one of only three quarterbacks to achieve a perfect Relative Athletic Score. During his first training camp with the Colts, he underwent nasal septum surgery to improve his breathing, and on August 15, 2023, head coach Shane Steichen named him the starting quarterback over Gardner Minshew and Sam Ehlinger.
Richardson made his NFL debut in the season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He threw his first career touchdown pass to Michael Pittman Jr., ran for a touchdown, and threw his first interception to Tyson Campbell in a 31–21 loss. After briefly leaving a Week 2 game against the Houston Texans with a concussion, he returned to record two passing touchdowns and a rushing touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams, erasing a 23-point deficit in a 29–23 overtime loss and becoming the first rookie quarterback in NFL history to score a rushing touchdown in each of his first three starts. He was later placed on injured reserve with a grade three AC joint sprain and missed the remainder of the season after undergoing shoulder surgery.
NFL Breakthrough (2023–2024)
Richardson opened the 2024 season as the Colts’ starting quarterback after recovering from shoulder surgery. He missed Weeks 5 and 6 with an oblique injury and struggled with consistency through the early portion of the schedule, generating an NFL-worst 44.4% completion percentage in six games. Following a Week 8 loss to the Houston Texans in which he briefly stepped out of the game, asking for a breather, Richardson was benched in favor of backup Joe Flacco.
After two losses with Flacco, the Colts announced that Richardson would be the starter for the remainder of the season, beginning in their Week 11 matchup against the New York Jets. In his return, he completed 67% of his passes for a career-high 272 yards and a touchdown, and he added two rushing scores, including the game-winner in the final minute as the Colts won 28–27. In Week 13, he led a 19-play, 80-yard touchdown drive capped by a go-ahead two-point conversion with under 15 seconds left to beat the New England Patriots 25–24.
Richardson missed the final two games of 2024 with a back injury as the Colts fell short of the playoffs with a Week 17 loss to the New York Giants. He finished the year completing 47.7% of his 264 passing attempts for 1,814 yards, eight touchdowns, and 12 interceptions, while adding 86 rushes for 499 yards and six touchdowns.
Indianapolis Colts Era (2023–Present)
With the signing of quarterback Daniel Jones in March 2025, Richardson opened the 2025 offseason in a competition with Jones for the Colts’ starting quarterback job. On August 19, the Colts named Jones the starter and listed Richardson as the backup to begin his third NFL season. The depth chart decision placed Richardson in a developmental role as the team entered a new chapter at the position.
His 2025 campaign encountered an early setback on October 13, when he was placed on injured reserve after fracturing the orbital bone in his eye during pregame warmups the previous day. The injury further complicated his efforts to build momentum and reclaim a starting opportunity, and his recovery timeline shaped the Colts’ approach at quarterback for the remainder of the year.
Driving Style and Strengths
Richardson is widely regarded for his elite physical tools, including a powerful arm and rare speed for a quarterback of his size. His rushing production stands out, and he has shown an ability to extend plays and finish drives with his legs. Continued refinement of his passing accuracy and decision-making remains the central focus of his development as he works to match his athletic ceiling with on-field consistency.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his signature achievements, Richardson became the first rookie quarterback in NFL history to score a rushing touchdown in each of his first three starts during the 2023 season. He is one of only three quarterbacks to post a perfect Relative Athletic Score, joining Cam Newton and Daunte Culpepper. His late-game heroics against the New York Jets and the New England Patriots in 2024 further cemented his reputation for clutch play.
Anthony Richardson Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Public details about Anthony Richardson’s family background remain limited. He was born and raised in Florida, and his commitment to the University of Florida allowed him to stay close to home during his college years. Information about his parents and siblings is not widely documented in verifiable sources.
2025 Season Performance
Richardson entered 2025 competing with newly signed veteran Daniel Jones for the Colts’ starting quarterback job. The position battle played out through the offseason and into training camp, ultimately resulting in Jones being named the starter on August 19. Richardson was listed as the backup, signaling a developmental year aimed at refining his mechanics and consistency within the Colts’ offensive system.
His season was further disrupted on October 13, when he was placed on injured reserve after fracturing the orbital bone in his eye during pregame warmups the previous day. The injury sidelined him for an extended stretch and limited his opportunities to contribute on the field during a critical portion of the schedule.
Looking ahead, Richardson’s outlook centers on his recovery from injury and his continued push to reclaim a starting role in Indianapolis. The Colts’ investment in him as a former top-five pick suggests the organization remains committed to his long-term development, and his 2026 trajectory will depend on his health, accuracy, and ability to translate his physical gifts into consistent production.