Commanders to Retire No. 44 for Hall of Famer John Riggins
Washington will lift the number of its all-time leading rusher to the rafters during a November home game, cementing one of the franchise's most beloved legends.
The Washington Commanders will retire No. 44 in honor of Hall of Fame running back John Riggins, the franchise announced. The number will be formally lifted out of circulation during Washington's home game against the Los Angeles Rams on November 8, adding one of the most punishing runners in team history to a short and storied list of honored players.
Why does John Riggins mean so much to Washington?
Riggins spent the heart of his career in Washington from 1976 through 1985 and left as the franchise's all-time leading rusher with 7,742 yards. His 79 rushing touchdowns still stand as a team record, 33 more than the next name on the list. He was a bruising, downhill back who wore defenses down over four quarters and only seemed to get stronger with age. In 1984, at 35 years old, Riggins became the oldest player in league history to rush for more than 1,000 yards in a season. Across his full career he piled up 11,352 rushing yards and 104 touchdowns, numbers that carried him to Canton.
What made his Super Bowl XVII run so iconic?
The defining image of Riggins' career came on January 30, 1983, in Super Bowl XVII against the Miami Dolphins. Facing fourth-and-1 with 10:10 left and Washington trailing, Riggins took the handoff, shed a tackle in the backfield and rumbled 43 yards for the go-ahead touchdown. That run put Washington ahead 20-17 on the way to a 27-17 victory. He finished the game with 166 rushing yards and was named Super Bowl MVP. It capped a postseason in which he set an NFL playoff record with 610 rushing yards, one of the great individual January runs the sport has seen.
How rare is this honor for the franchise?
Washington has been protective of its retired numbers, keeping the list small even across decades of history. With Riggins added, the franchise has retired numbers for seven players: Sammy Baugh (33), Bobby Mitchell (49), Sean Taylor (21), Darrell Green (28), Sonny Jurgensen (9), Art Monk (81) and now Riggins (44). Riggins was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1992, and this ceremony brings his legacy back into the spotlight for a new generation of fans. Owner Josh Harris said Riggins 'played with a rare combination of physicality, fearlessness and personality that captivated fans.' The tribute lands as the Commanders build momentum on the field behind quarterback Jayden Daniels and a retooled roster that recently added cornerback Rasul Douglas, with the club also set to host the 2027 NFL draft.
Players in this story
Sources
- ESPN: Commanders to retire No. 44 worn by Hall of Famer John Riggins
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