Anthony Richardson: Indianapolis Colts Rookie Files

Fueled by family and the loss of his uncle, Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson strives to be one of the best players the NFL has ever seen.

Making it to the NFL is an incredibly difficult journey.

Less than 1% of all high school football players in America eventually play for an NFL team. The challenge is immense, with kids dedicating their entire lives to a shot at playing professional football. 

But when they finally achieve their dreams, all the blood, sweat, and tears they have poured into the game becomes worth it.

Every NFL rookie has a unique story of how they got to this point. These stories draw fans to the players, seeing the personal side of their heroes. They feel a closeness with the player, leading them to passionately cheer when watching that player give it their all on Sundays.

And that is what “Rookie Files” is all about. This series on Horseshoe Huddle gives you the backstory on every rookie for the Indianapolis Colts. Going player by player, we look at their journeys to the NFL and what makes each unique while also detailing how they help the Colts. First up, Anthony Richardson, whose determination and work ethic is derived from a family bond and may lead him to superstardom in the NFL.

A Loving Father Figure

© Gainesville Sun-USA TODAY Sports

Richardson was born on May 22, 2002, in Miami, Fla., to Will Richardson and LaShawnda Cleare. While Anthony has a relationship with his father, Will was not always around when he was growing up. Cleare was the one who primarily raised Anthony and his younger brother, Corey.

Cleare was only 17 when she had Richardson. As a single mother, she consistently had to work multiple jobs to support her sons. While times were tough, Cleare would do anything for her children.

"It was hard. I struggled," Cleare told NFL.com. "We didn't have much. I had to work several jobs, a lot of hours without much sleep to pay for clothes, food, rent and bills. I hope people don't judge me. I did the best I could. I wanted my kids to be better than me and have a much better life. I didn't see it as a sacrifice."

Richardson's love of football began when he was only two years old. His uncle Tanka, Cleare's brother, had given him a Nerf football that he carried with him everywhere.

When Richardson was three, Cleare was throwing the ball with her son in front of her grandmother's house. The young Richardson threw it so hard that Cleare had to avoid the pass, allowing the ball to hit a window. 

Her grandmother, Mildred Newsome, came out of the house yelling at Cleare not to hit her window. Even though Cleare insisted it was her three-year-old son, Newsome would not believe a kid that young could be capable of a throw that hard.

But Tanka wanted to see it for himself. He tossed the ball back to Richardson and told him to throw it to him again. Richardson did, with the same heat and velocity of the ball that smacked the window. From that moment on, Tanka knew Richardson would be different.

"His uncle Tanka showed him how to hold his arm and throw. He taught him football," Cleare said. "Tanka was a funny jokester. To know Tanka is to love him. He was the male father figure in Anthony's life."

While Cleare was busy providing for her family and ensuring her kids were doing well in school, Tanka handled all things football for Richardson. Getting him involved with local teams allowed Richardson to play organized sports for the first time, and his love for football began to grow.

Unfortunately, a tragic event would test the resolve and perseverance of a young Richardson. 

Fueled By Family and Loss

© Brad McClenny/The Gainesville Sun via Imagn Content Services, LLC

Cleare moved her family from Miami to Gainesville, Fla., when Richardson was 10 years old to give her sons a better life. She was worried the increasing gun violence and gang-related activity in the area would not be suitable for young boys.

The community of Gainesville was very close and helped keep the boys safe. Richardson began to thrive both on and off the field in Gainesville. On the field, he was making a name for himself as one of the best football players in the area. Off the field, Richardson's teachers recommended Cleare have him tested to see if he qualified for gifted classes.

It was not long after the family had settled in Gainesville when tragedy struck. Tanka passed away a little over a year after Richardson had moved. While it shook the family to its core, it especially had an impact on Richardson. Tanka had played such a crucial role in his life, and suddenly he was gone.

After his uncle had passed, Richardson took on a bigger role in the family, specifically with his brother. Anthony looked after Corey, ensuring he got to and from school, got his homework done, and stayed out of trouble. He became a father figure to Corey, just as Tanka was to him.

Richardson continued to play football and make noise in the Gainesville community for his big arm and athleticism. But unlike other quarterbacks with his talents at that age, Richardson was not attending 7-on-7 tournaments or looking for a private quarterback's coach. The only instruction he would receive was from his coaches at school, all the while building more motivation to make it to the NFL.

"My mom babied me, my dad babied me, my uncle Tanka saw me as a man early," Richardson said. "He pushed me, he got the most out of me. When Tanka died, it put a new fire in me and motivation to ensure nobody can stop me when I'm at my best."

Richardson attended Professional Academies Magnet at Loften High School in Gainesville and studied in the Academy of Fire and Emergency Medical Services. Richardson wanted to be a firefighter if football did not work out. Being the bright student he was, Richardson was on the honor roll and graduated early.

But one thing his gifted school did not have was a football program. Richardson was permitted to play at Eastside High School, where he played on varsity all four years. When he began starting as a sophomore, the big-armed kid from Gainesville started to gain attention outside of the city.

Richardson got better every year, finishing his high school career at Eastside with 4,633 passing yards and 37 touchdowns, along with 1,633 rushing yards and 41 touchdowns on the ground. He was an Elite 11 finalist in 2019, a four-star recruit, and the No.9 ranked dual-threat quarterback in the class of 2020. Colleges from all around the country wanted a chance to speak with Richardson.

He originally committed to the University of Florida in the summer before his junior season but decommitted after the season. Many said that Richardson decommitted because Florida was looking at other quarterbacks in his class. That was not the case at all.

"I decommitted because I wanted to, so I could get more offers and see what other schools had to say about me and what they wanted," Richardson admitted to The Athletic in 2019. "I also wanted colleges to come and see some of my teammates. That was another reason."

In the end, Richardson chose to stay home and recommitted to Florida a month later. He would play his college ball in front of the community that helped raise him. Most importantly for Richardson, he would play college football for Tanka.

"He would be super proud,” Richardson revealed at the time. “Not just with football, but with everything. If you asked me about seeing myself like this two or three years ago, I would tell you I wouldn’t even see myself like this. I would’ve just been happy to go to college because that was one of my goals. He taught me how to throw a football. If I’m making it for somebody, it’s gotta be for him.”

Realizing a Dream

© Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

When Richardson arrived at Florida, it took some time before he saw major playing time. As a true freshman, Richardson appeared in only four games with minimal playing time. He was deemed a redshirt and kept playing eligibility for another season. 

In 2021, his redshirt freshman season, Richardson was a backup once again but saw action in double the games and even made his first collegiate start. He finished with 529 passing yards and six touchdowns to five interceptions while running for 401 yards and three touchdowns. His efforts earned him a spot on the All-SEC Freshman team.

But 2022 was the year Richardson would finally get his chance as the full-time starter. He had been working hard to refine himself as a passer and become more consistent with his game. When Week 1 of the Gators' 2022 season had arrived, Richardson was ready.

Richardson threw for 168 yards and scored three touchdowns on the ground to upset the No.7 Utes. Richardson proved to himself and his teammates that he could win games at the next level. The victory gave him the confidence to continue forward toward his dream.

While the rest of the season was rocky, Richardson finished the year with 2,549 passing yards, 17 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. He also tallied 654 yards rushing and nine rushing touchdowns. Richardson was a star in the classroom as well, making SEC Fall Honor Roll.

The redshirt sophomore quarterback had burst onto the scene as one of the most athletic prospects in the country and began to receive NFL draft buzz. While many believed Richardson could use another year of college football to continue refining his skills, he decided to forgo his remaining eligibility and enter the NFL Draft. 

At the beginning of the process, Richardson was seen as a fringe first-round prospect. That thinking changed at the NFL Scouting Combine.

Richardson put on a performance unlike anything we have ever seen at the event. Standing at 6'4" and 244 pounds, his 4.43 40-yard dash was the fourth-fastest time by a quarterback since 2000. He also recorded a 40.5-inch vertical jump and 10'9" broad jump, breaking both records for the quarterback position. Richardson even capped off his recording-breaking combine performance with a backflip as a cherry on top.

When factoring in everything from size to speed to explosiveness, the NFL has never seen an athlete like Richardson. His athletic ability, combined with very impressive interviews where he showed off his intelligence and football IQ, catapulted him into conversations at the top of the draft.

While many experts did not know where Richardson would end up, one team had their sights set on him the entire time: The Indianapolis Colts. The Colts waited on draft night, hoping Richardson would be available when it was their turn to pick. Everything fell into place, and Richardson, with tears in his eyes, was selected by the Colts with the No.4 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

“For one, I just want to thank God," Richardson said after being drafted. "I want to thank the Irsay family, Chris Ballard, Coach (Shane) Steichen, Colts Nation for believing in me first off and foremost. I definitely appreciate it and I’m excited to be here. I can’t wait to help this franchise. I can’t wait to impact the city. Truly excited to be here and I’m definitely thankful."

How Richardson Helps the Colts

© Indianapolis Colts

Whether the Colts want to admit it or not, Richardson was drafted to be this team's franchise quarterback. The Colts are hoping Richardson finally gives them stability at the most important position in football for the first time since Andrew Luck retired in 2019.

Richardson is the type of quarterback the NFL game is gravitating towards. He is a big, strong individual who will immediately have one of the strongest arms in the league the moment he takes the field. He does a great job keeping plays alive with his pocket presence and keeps his eyes downfield. Richardson is also a threat with his legs, with the speed to take off on any play and turn it into a huge gain.

However, patience will be required when it comes to Richardson. He is still fairly raw in his football development, as he only started one year of college football. Accuracy is a concern at this point, and while Richardson has been working to clean up his mechanics, it will be an area in which he will need to make strides.

But one thing that cannot be questioned is Richardson's work ethic. Numerous Colts' coaches and players have praised Richardson for his study habits, ability to take coaching, and desire to get better. He is grasping the offense very quickly, and is preparing like he is already the starter.

"I want to make sure I’m prepared in the best way, best form, best fashion that I can be," Richardson said. "Great quarterbacks played (in Indianapolis) before I did, and I want to be a part of that list. I will be a part of that list because I’m going to make sure I’m prepared, I’ll put that work in and support my team and support the franchise.”

Richardson very well could be the next great quarterback for the Colts. But no matter what happens throughout his NFL journey, Richardson will have the support of his mom, his brother, and the fond memory of his uncle, by his side every step of the way.

And when family is the motivation, there is no telling how high Richardson's ceiling can be.

More Rookie Files

• CB JuJu Brents
• WR Josh Downs
• OT Blake Freeland
• DE Adetomiwa Adebawore
• CB Darius Rush
• S Daniel Scott
• TE Will Mallory
• RB Evan Hull
• DE Titus Leo
• CB Jaylon Jones
• OT Jake Witt

Want more Colts content? Check out the latest episode of the Horseshoe Huddle Podcast!

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