Retired Chicago Bear arrested in murder of Phoenix man

PHOENIX (KNXV) -- Former Chicago Bears player Michael Richardson was arrested by Phoenix police on murder charges, according to multiple sources.

Phoenix Police confirmed Richardson, 59, was locked up Wednesday, Dec. 30, in connection with the shooting death of 47-year-old Ronald Like. Investigators said Like was found shot Tuesday morning near 40th Street and Van Buren.

Richardson was arrested by Phoenix police twice in 2020, both times for alleged drug possession. He was arrested and locked up in Maricopa County in 2018, accused of theft and possessing meth, crack cocaine and heroin.

KPHO-TV reports investigators believe Richardson, 59, shot Like over $200 worth of cocaine.

Police found Like shortly after 9 a.m. Tuesday. Like was hospitalized, where he later died.

Police arrested Richardson in Mesa Wednesday afternoon. According to public court documents, police say witnesses statements indicate that Richardson "is considered to be a drug dealer." Richardson was booked on suspicion of second-degree murder and weapons misconduct. He also was wanted on a felony warrant that was issued a little more than a week before the shooting.

The Chicago Tribune reports at the time of Richardson's retirement following the 1989 NFL season, he had been convicted 21 times on drug offenses.

Richardson, known as "L.A. Mike" in his playing days and a featured figure in the "Super Bowl Shuffle" video, played six of his seven NFL seasons with the Bears. He was born in Compton, Calif., and played four seasons at Arizona State University before the Bears drafted him in 1983.