John Riggins, the legendary running back and Super Bowl XVII MVP, will have his No. 44 retired by the Washington Commanders during their November 8 game against the Los Angeles Rams. This is a monumental recognition for a player who absolutely dominated the league, rewrote the record books, and brought a Lombardi Trophy to D.C. It shows the new ownership under Josh Harris is really trying to do right by the franchise's history and its all-time greats.
The "Riggo" Run in Washington
When Riggins signed with the Redskins in 1976 after five years with the New York Jets, he changed the game for the franchise. After a contract dispute in 1980, he came roaring back in 1981 and led Washington to back-to-back Super Bowls, clinching Super Bowl XVII. Talk about a comeback! He was named the MVP of that Super Bowl, tearing through defenses for 166 yards and a touchdown. The man was a beast. He's still the franchise leader with an insane 1,988 carries, 7,472 yards, and 79 touchdowns. To put that in perspective, he ended his NFL career with 104 scores, making him and Jim Brown the only players at that time to rush for 100 or more touchdowns. No. 44 is definitely going where it belongs, joining other Washington legends like Sammy Baugh, Bobby Mitchell, Sean Taylor, Sonny Jurgensen, Darrell Green, and Art Monk in the rafters. And if that wasn't enough, he's also going into the Washington Ring of Honor.The Kansas Comet Before the NFL
Before he was tearing up NFL defenses, Riggins was a star in Lawrence, Kansas, rocking the college football scene for three years. He was an absolute workhorse, racking up 2,659 yards on 518 carries for a 5.1 yards per carry average. That put him second in the program at the time, just a mere 16 yards shy of Gale Sayers. Even now, he's still ranked No. 8 all-time in rushing yards for the program. The 1970 season was just bonkers: Riggins led the entire Big 8 in rushes with 209, yards with 1,131, and a whopping 14 touchdowns. He even set the single-season rushing record for the program back then, surpassing Wade Stinson’s 1,129 yards from 1950. He was recognized big time, earning First Team All-Big 8 honors in both 1968 and 1970. His college accolades include being inducted into the Kansas Athletics Hall of Fame in 1984, the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame in 1999, and the Kansas Football Ring of Honor in 2007. On November 8, when Washington faces the Los Angeles Rams, fans are going to witness a true legend getting the ultimate honor. It's a huge celebration of one of the greatest running backs to ever strap on a helmet and what he meant to the franchise. Get ready for a serious tribute!This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.