Richard Young played defense and was the second quarterback behind Arab Morris in 1952, but he was the starting quarterback in 1953. During his two years, the Wildcats racked up 18 victories, only one loss, one tie and one state championship.

His sophomore season at Pearl River, Young passed for over 1,400 yards and threw for 15 touchdowns. That year Holden had Young running the spread and shotgun formations. PRC was one of the first — or the first, according to some reports — to ever run those formations.

Young also played baseball at PRC and established a .340 batting average.

Young transferred to the University of Georgia, and while playing for Walley Butts, he led the Southeastern Conference in passing yards and touchdowns his 1955 senior year. Midway through the season he was the leading passer in the nation, eventually finishing fifth.

Young played with PRCC Sports Hall of Famers Bill Mitchell, Lonnie Anderson, Alton Shell and Doug Holcomb. At Georgia, Young threw to the legendary Jimmy Orr of the famed Baltimore Colts Johnny Unitas to Orr combination.

When Young finished the 1955 season, eventual Alabama Governor Fob James held the rushing title from Auburn, Tennessee's Johnny Majors led in total offense, and Ole Miss's Eagle Day was second to Young in passing.

After Young finished at Georgia, he joined the Navy and was stationed at the Naval Aviation Base in Pensacola, Florida, where he played three years of service football against other teams which included men like Forrest Gregg and NFL Hall of Fame's Willie Davis.

After the service, Young and a brother started an automobile dealership in Pensacola. This operation eventually included a mobile home business and the development of a couple of recreational vehicle parks.

In 1987 Young began having double vision, and after checking with a neurologist and having test run, Young was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.