Former Browns, Colts RB Trent Richardson scores twice in AAF debut

Feb. 11 (UPI) -- Former NFL running back Trent Richardson is attempting to revive his career in a new football league. He scored two touchdowns in his debut.

The scores came in the Birmingham Iron's 26-0 win against the Memphis Express in the Alliance of American Football league Sunday at Legion Field in Birmingham, Ala.

Richardson totaled 58 yards on the ground in the win, averaging 2.5 yards per carry in the Iron's season-opener. He scored both touchdowns in the fourth quarter.

The Iron led 9-0 when Richardson capped off a five play, 55-yard drive to begin the fourth quarter by running in for a four-yard scamper. He followed the score by catching a two-point conversion pass, putting Birmingham ahead 17-0.

The Iron kicked a field goal on the next possession to take a 20-point lead. Birmingham made an interception on the next drive, leading to Richardson's second score. That gallop came from five yards out and ended a four-play, 19-yard drive. Richardson came up short on that two-point conversion try.

"Trent is an unbelievable person and player," Iron quarterback Luis Perez told reporters. "He works very hard. After that fumble, he kinda gathered and said 'guys that's on me. I'm gonna come back and end this game. I'm gonna run the ball down their throats and we are gonna get this win.' Sure enough, he did that."

The No. 3 overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft had a great rookie campaign, piling up 1,317 yards from scrimmage and 12 scores in 15 starts for the Cleveland Browns. Richardson struggled in his second season before being traded to the Indianapolis Colts.

He later was released before stints with the Oakland Raiders and Baltimore Ravens. Richardson hasn't played an NFL snap since the 2014 season.