Sports

John Riggins Biography And Interesting Facts About His Career

Biography

When it came to John Riggins, everyone knew what to expect. He played by his own rules. He ran hard, and he ran his way. He was just as likely to show up to team functions in an army uniform as he was in a tuxedo. However, when it came time to play soccer, he was a no-nonsense runner whose strength and speed were second only to his determination and toughness.

Riggins did not pull down as the game progressed. The more times he got the ball, the stronger he seemed to get. The same is true of his NFL career. Where other running backs lost a step as they aged, John Riggins gained momentum with each passing NFL season. He was 35 when he recorded his sixth 1,000-yard rushing season. While no one knew what to expect from Riggins off the football field, teammates and fans could always count on exceptional play when it came time to play football.

While still playing at a high level, Riggins shocked the world when he retired from football after posting back-to-back 1000-yard seasons. He one day he walked out of Redskins training camp in 1980 and announced his retirement.

Riggins played by his own rules. He wasn’t happy with his contract and with football in general, so he decided to go by his own rules. After spending the offseason on his Kansas farm, he returned to Washington in 1981 and said, “I’m bored, I’m broke, and I’m back.” Riggins decided that he was ready to play football one more time.

After Riggins’ humiliating declaration to return to football, he launched his second NFL playing career. His one-year break showed during his first season back, but by the end of 1982 he had fully regained his form. Going into the playoffs, he approached Redskins coach Joe Gibbs and told him that if he got the ball 20 times a game or more, the Redskins would win.

Coach Gibbs followed Riggins’ advice. The next three games, Riggins averaged 148 yards and 33 carries and led the Washington Redskins to Super Bowl XVII.

In the Super Bowl against the Miami Dolphins, the Redskins relied heavily on Riggins. His biggest play came in the fourth quarter. Trailing 17-3 and facing fourth-and-one, Riggins took over, scrambling to his left and scrambling 43 yards to the end zone. Behind John Riggins’ 166 yards on a record 38 carries, the Washington Redskins won the Super Bowl 27-17.

The following season, at the ripe age of 34, John Riggins had his best year as a professional. At the time he retired, he was fourth on the all-time running backs list. It was a race that no one could have predicted. No one who didn’t understand the will and determination of John Riggins, of course.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *