Richard Hofmann

Richard Hofmann, known as King Richard or Cannon Richard, was a German striker and one of the best-known forwards of the late 1920s. Born on 8 February 1906 in Meerane in Saxony, he grew up with seven siblings in a poor family and developed his talent in street football. He was first called up to the national team in 1927 and scored 24 goals in 25 international matches. He played in the football tournament at the 1928 Summer Olympics for Germany. In 1930 he lost his right ear in a car accident and afterwards wore a head bandage. He won the German championship with Dresdener SC in 1943 and 1944. In 1933 he was banned for life from the national team after appearing on an advertising poster for a cigarette company. After playing he worked as a coach in East Germany, and he died on 5 May 1983 in Freital.