The Washington Commanders will honor a key member of the team’s proud history on November 8 when Hall-of-Fame running back John Riggins’ No. 44 is retired at halftime of a game against the visiting Los Angeles Rams.
‘There are certain players whose impact goes far beyond statistics, championships and accolades: They become woven into the identity of a franchise,’ controlling owner Josh Harris said in a statement. ‘John Riggins is one of those players.’
Of course, Riggins never played a down for anyone known as the ‘Commanders,’ but rather spent the last nine years of his illustrious 14-year career with the Washington Redskins. That team name was dropped in 2020 amid a nationwide debate over racism in the wake of George Floyd’s murder by Minneapolis Police.
Still the franchise’s all-time rushing leader with 7,472 yards, Riggins objected to the team’s name change in 2022, saying he felt ‘completely disenfranchised’ by the decision: ‘I can’t understand how anybody who played under the old franchise name, the original franchise name, could want to be a part of anything Washington Commanders… All of a sudden, you’ve entered oblivion.’
But fans’ loving memories of Riggins haven’t been dimmed by the team’s name change, or even the four decades that have passed since his retirement following the 1985 season.
Instead, the fan favorite and Super Bowl XVII MVP known as ‘Riggo’ will become the seventh player in team history to have his number retired, following the likes of ‘Slinging’ Sammy Baugh, Bobby Mitchell, Art Monk, Darrell Green, Sonny Jurgensen and Sean Taylor.
The Washington Commanders will honor a key member of the team’s proud history on November 8 when John Riggins’ No. 44 is retired at halftime of a game against the LA Rams
Riggins began his career with the Jets, but blossomed in the Redskins’ backfield
‘This is going to be electric!!!!’ one fan wrote on X, while dropping Riggins’ other nickname. ‘Brings back memories of that season and watching the Diesel do his thing.’
‘One of the best of all time,’ another added.
Several others added some variation of: ‘About time Riggo.’
Of course, many critics of the name change took the opportunity to voice their continued displeasure with the decision.
‘NO ONE CARES UNTIL YOU CHANGE THE NAME BACK TO REDSKINS!!!!!!!!!!’ read one furious post on X.
‘You erased his legacy along with the historic Redskins,’ another critic added.
And many included their own derisive nickname for the Commanders.
‘So no Commies will wear 44?’ one critic added on X.
Still the franchise’s all-time rushing leader with 7,472 yards, Riggins objected to the team’s name change in 2022, saying he felt ‘completely disenfranchised’ by the decision
‘He played for the REDSKINS, not the disgusting commies trash,’ read a similar comment on X from @commiesrgarbage.
Riggins began his career with five productive seasons on the New York Jets, but later moved on to Washington, where he endured injuries and later a lengthy contract dispute before blossoming as one of the game’s top backs in his 30s.
His most memorable moment came in January of 1983, when he helped Washington beat the Miami Dolphins in the Super Bowl with a 43-yard go-ahead touchdown run.
Since then, Riggins was enshrined in Canton in 1992 and now the 76-year-old hosts his own podcast.
