John Riggins
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| John Riggins | |
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.jpg/200px-Riggins,_John_(Navy).jpg) |
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| Position(s): Running back |
Jersey #(s): 44 |
| Born: August 4, 1949 Seneca, Kansas |
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| Career Information | |
| Year(s): 1971–1985 | |
| NFL Draft: 1971 / Round: 1 / Pick: 6 | |
| College: Kansas | |
| Professional Teams | |
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| Career Stats | |
| Rushing Yards | 11,352 |
| Average | 3.9 |
| Total TDs | 104 |
| Stats at NFL.com | |
| Career Highlights and Awards | |
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| Pro Football Hall of Fame | |
Robert John Riggins, nicknamed "The Diesel", (born August 4, 1949 in Seneca, Kansas) is a former American football running back in the National Football League, playing from 1971-1985. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1992.
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[edit] Early life and career
Known by Redskins fans as "the Diesel" and "Riggo", Riggins was a classic workhorse running back. What set him apart from many other workhorse backs is that he also had excellent speed.
Riggins attended Centralia High School in Centralia, Kansas, which is now located at 507 John Riggins Avenue, where he was a two time state champion in the 100-yard dash (9.6 seconds). Educated at the University of Kansas, he broke Gale Sayers's career rushing record for the school and led the Jayhawks to the Big 8 conference championship in 1968, KU's last championship in football (through the 2007 season).
He was the first-round draft pick for the New York Jets in the 1971 draft. He spent five years with the Jets, and became the Jets' MVP in 1972 and 1975. In that 1975 season, he made his only appearance in the Pro Bowl, and was the first Jet to rush for 1,000 or more yards in a season (1,005). He eventually signed as a free agent with the Washington Redskins in 1976. He remained with Washington until retiring in 1985. He holds Redkins records with 11,352 rushing yards, 2,916 attempts, 104 rushing TDs, and 116 total TDs. Riggins also holds the NFL record for rushing touchdowns of 3 yards or less(81).
In 1983, in his 13th season, Riggins rushed for 1,347 yards and 24 touchdowns, which are both records for a player 34 years or older. The following season, he set records for a 35 year old with 1,239 rushing yards and 14 rushing touchdowns.
[edit] Contract dispute
In July 1980, the Redskins balked at his demand that the club renegotiate his $300,000-a-year contract. The Redskins placed him on the left camp-retired list, a move that made him ineligible to play for any other team in the league. He sat out the 1980 season and didn't rejoin the Redskins until 1981, when new Washington head coach Joe Gibbs traveled to Kansas to make a peace offering.
"He had a camouflage outfit on", Gibbs recalled.
| “ | He had been hunting, him and a buddy. He had a beer can in his hand. It was 10 o'clock in the morning and he's meeting his coach for the first time and I'm thinking [sarcastically], 'This guy really impresses me.' But I went in there, and halfway through the conversation he says, 'You need to get me back there. I'll make you famous.[1] | ” |
In 1981 Riggins showed up at the Redskins training camp, telling the media "I'm bored, I'm broke, and I'm back."[2]
[edit] Playing in the Super Bowl
Riggins played in Super Bowl XVII and Super Bowl XVIII for the Redskins, in tandem with quarterback Joe Theismann and Washington's legendary offensive line known collectively as "The Hogs." He had 38 carries for 166 yards and a touchdown along with a 15-yard reception in Super Bowl XVII, becoming the game MVP. His 181 total yards actually out gained the entire Miami Dolphins team in the game.
The key play in the game, a play designed for short yardage called 70 chip, featured Riggins at his best. With 10 minutes remaining in Super Bowl XVII and the Redskins trailing the Dolphins 17-13, Riggins took a handoff on 4th-and-inches, broke an attempted tackle by Dolphin cornerback Don McNeal and sprinted down the left sideline, and past a stunned Dolphins' bench, for a 43-yard touchdown that gave Washington a 20-17 lead. The Redskins would tack on another score late in the game to clinch a 27-17 triumph, the Redskins' first championship victory since 1942.
Riggins overall performance in the 1982 postseason was outstanding: 610 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns in 4 games, which actually amounted to a total greater than the 553 yards he rushed for in 8 games during the strike shortened 1982 season. His 610 rushing yards and his 4 consecutive games with over 100 yards were both NFL postseason records.
In the following season, Riggins rushed for 1,347 yards and scored an NFL record 24 touchdowns, a record that stood for 12 years. Riggins went on to have another outstanding postseason, rushing for 242 yards and 5 touchdowns in their 2 playoff games, extending his NFL record of postseason games with at least 100 rushing yards to 6. He then rushed for 61 yards and a touchdown in the Redskins' 38-9 Super Bowl XVIII loss against the Los Angeles Raiders.
[edit] Playing style
Riggins was known for his hard running style, great speed, and tough demeanor. He was a classic workhorse back, reliably gaining 3.5-4 yards every play while punishing the other teams linebackers until they would shy away from contact with him. This style allowed him to use his fantastic speed to break away for long gains late in games. He finished his career with 11,352 rushing yards. At the time of his retirement this was good enough for fourth on the all-time list, and as of the 2006 NFL season, he was still 12th. With 250 receptions for 2,090 receiving yards, he totaled 13,435 combined yards -- among the best ever for a running back. He also rushed for 104 touchdowns and caught 12 touchdown receptions, which at his retirement put him second all-time, and as of the 2006 NFL season these numbers were still the 8th most touchdowns ever scored by an NFL player. He was the second player ever to rush for over 100 touchdowns in NFL history, and the first to do it since Jim Brown reached the milestone in 1965.
In 1993, as both Riggins and Theismann were inducted into the Redskins' Ring of Honor, Riggins was nowhere to be found. But when Riggins suddenly bounded onto the field in full Redskins battle regalia, the RFK Stadium crowd cheered wildly. Riggins later explained that he "just had to hear it (the roar of the crowd) one more time".
[edit] Post-playing career
Since retiring from professional football, Riggins has worked as a sports commentator on television and radio.
On May 7, 1992, Riggins was arrested in Vienna, Virginia and charged with driving while intoxicated. He was also charged by town police for refusing to take a breath or blood test following his arrest and spent several hours in the Fairfax County jail before being released on $750 bond. This incident was consistent with a long history of alcohol related problems and embarrassment for Riggins at the time. [3]
In 1994, he began acting lessons and has since starred in off-off-Broadway productions of the plays Gillette and A Midsummer Night's Dream (in which he played Bottom). His television credits include Guiding Light and Law & Order: Criminal Intent.
In July 2005, Westwood One announced that Riggins would serve as color commentator for the network's weekly national radio broadcast of Sunday Night Football starting in the 2006 season (although Riggins began his role as color commentator in 2005).
On July 18, 2006, Triple X ESPN Radio was launched with Riggins hosting The John Riggins Show. Riggins can be heard in the Washington, D.C. area weekdays from 4-7pm on 94.3 FM, 92.7 FM & 730 AM, WXGI 950 AM in Richmond, Virginia and WXTG-FM 102.1 FM in Virginia Beach, Virginia and WXTG (AM) 1490 in Hampton, Virginia. Riggins also briefly worked as a guest host on WNEW-FM radio's Sports Guys in New York City.
On October 13, 2007 Riggins was inducted into University of Kansas Ring of Honor at Memorial Stadium.
On January 3, 2008, Riggins co-hosted the 74th Orange Bowl pre-game show.
[edit] References
- ^ WashingtonPost.com: The Redskins Book: Page 123
- ^ Riggins Returns to Redskins - New York Times
- ^ Riggins Is Arrested On DUI Charge The Washington Post ; May 7, 1992
[edit] External links
- Riggins' page on the Pro Football Hall of Fame site
- The John Riggins Show official website (Website currently disabled)
- Riggin's IMDB Biography
| Preceded by Joe Montana |
NFL Super Bowl MVPs Super Bowl XVII, 1983 |
Succeeded by Marcus Allen |
| Preceded by Craig Morton |
NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award 1978 |
Succeeded by Larry Csonka |
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