As I remember it, Richards had an injury which revealed a pre-existing condition in his neck. I’m going right off of what may be faulty memory, but I believe it may have been some kind of spinal stenosis or some other pre-existing or congenital condition which precludes him from ever playing again due to the risk of permanent injury.
I remember there were people going crazy on this site, as usual, with bullshlt conspiracy theories not only about his injury, but about him being on some double secret suspension.
It was CIS retardation at its finest.