Hall of Fame
- Induction:
- 1994
- Class:
- 1976
Richard Keys was starting center for the Bulldogs for four seasons. From 1973 to 1976, Keys was a part of some of the most iconic victories in Mississippi State football history.
In his first year with the Bulldogs, he was named first team All-Freshman SEC and named a first team Freshman All-American. He was unanimously named first team All-SEC in both 1975 and 1976. Following his senior season, Keys received an invitation to play in the annual Blue-Grey All Star game and was named an All-American honorable mention. Keys started in 44 of 45 games from 1973 to 1976, the flu preventing him from playing in the one game he did not start.
Among his greatest accomplishments at Mississippi State, Keys ranks the 1974 Memphis State victory as number one. The nail biter victory is one of the most well-known in Mississippi State history, with Bob Tyler’s Bulldogs coming back to beat Tigers by one point. In addition to this victory, Keys hoisted the Egg Bowl and Sun Bowl trophies during his time as a Bulldog.
Keys went on to play football professionally with the various teams in the NFL. He reached the pinnacle of his career in 1978 when the Denver Broncos clinched the AFC Championship to make a Super Bowl appearance.
Following his retirement, Keys returned to Mississippi. He spent 28 years as a salesman for Puckett Machinery Company and spent his weekends hunting. He remained a Mississippi State football fan until his death in 2011.
Keys and his wife, Jennifer, have three daughters, Carmen, Shannon and Mollie.
