It only took about 40 years, but Washington is finally doing right by one of the most bulldozing, unforgettable players the franchise has ever had. Adam Schefter broke the news that the Commanders will retire John Riggins' No. 44 in a Nov. 8 ceremony, with the timing lining up perfectly since it's a home game against the Los Angeles Rams.
Commanders are retiring John Riggins’ No.44 jersey on Sunday, Nov. 8th, when Washington hosts the Los Angeles Rams. https://t.co/9ou3fKcpWS
Riggins isn't just a number in the record books, he's the guy whose 43-yard touchdown run on 4th-and-1 sealed Super Bowl XVII against Miami and turned him into Super Bowl MVP. He ran for 166 yards that day and 20-17 became one of the signature moments in franchise history. He played for Washington from 1976 to 1985 and still stands as the franchise's all-time leading rusher, with 85 touchdowns to his name. "The Diesel" nickname wasn't for nothing, he ran like a truck and talked like a rock star, which is exactly the kind of personality Washington built an era around.
“There are certain players whose impact goes far beyond statistics, championships and accolades, they become woven into the identity of a franchise. John Riggins is one of those players. ‘Riggo’ as many know him, helped define one of the most successful eras in our history. He played the game with a rare combination of physicality, fearlessness, and personality that captivated fans and inspired his teammates. His accomplishments on the field speak for themselves: Super Bowl XVII MVP, First-Team All-Pro, two-time NFL rushing touchdowns leader, member of the NFL’s 1980s All-Decade Team, and ultimately a Pro Football Hall of Famer. Yet what defines John most is who he is as a person. Our fans not only admired him, they identified with him. He is authentic, unapologetically himself and deeply connected to the people around him. John has meant so much to this franchise, our fans and the game of football. That’s why we’re proud to retire his No. 44 on November 8 and honor a legacy that will forever be a part of our history." – Josh Harris, Managing Partner Washington Commanders
This isn't a small club Riggins is joining either. He becomes just the 7th player in Commanders history to get his number retired, alongside Sammy Baugh, Bobby Mitchell, Sean Taylor, Darrell Green, Sonny Jurgensen and Art Monk. That's Hall of Fame company across every era of the franchise, and it says something that it took this long for Riggins to get the same treatment.
The reaction from the football world has been the kind of instant, no-notes agreement you rarely see. Fantasy football voice Matthew Berry called Riggins one of his all-time favorite athletes and said the 4th-and-1 Super Bowl run might be his favorite play ever, which tracks for anyone who grew up watching Washington in the '80s.
Schefter followed up hours later with more detail on the ceremony via Washington beat reporter John Keim, signaling this isn't just a quick pregame tip of the cap but a full moment the organization is building around. Expect Riggins on the field, expect the alumni to show up, and expect Washington to lean hard into the nostalgia of that early-80s Super Bowl run in front of a Rams team that's become one of the league's more relevant rivalries in recent years.
Mark the calendar for Nov. 8. Washington hanging Riggo's number is the kind of ceremony that reminds everyone why this franchise's history still matters, even in a rebuilding era where the roster looks nothing like it did when No. 44 was steamrolling linebackers.