The faithful fans in burgundy and gold let John Riggins hear the roar of the crowd again on Sunday, as the Commanders retired his No. 44 jersey at halftime of Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Rams.
The 77-year-old former running back didn’t don a jersey and pads — as he did when the franchise inducted him into the Ring of Honor in 1990.
Instead, a still-appreciative Riggins donned a black suit and thanked the fan base that has loved him for decades. He fought back tears as Commanders owner Josh Harris and retired quarterback Joe Theismann introduced him.
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“It’s time for us to do something we should’ve done a long time ago,” Harris said during Sunday’s ceremony, before unveiling a No. 44 flag atop the stadium.
Riggins is the seventh player in team history to have his number retired, joining Sammy Baugh, Bobby Mitchell, Sean Taylor, Sonny Jurgensen, Darrell Green and Art Monk.
No player has rushed for more yards or touchdowns in a Washington uniform than Riggins. He compiled 7,472 yards on the ground with 79 touchdowns in nine seasons with the Redskins from 1976-85.
The Kansas product, affectionately known to fans and teammates as “Diesel” or “Riggo,” was the focal point of a lethal Washington running game under Hall of Fame coach Joe Gibbs.
“He was a b——- player. He always scored, he always did well, did his own thing,” said Mary Gayle, a fan who donned a No. 44 jersey for Sunday’s game. “He’s the ultimate Redskin. He’s what a Redskin player should be. Thank you, Riggo. Thank you for playing the way you played and being the person that you are.”
Riggins helped lead the Redskins to their first Super Bowl triumph when they beat the Miami Dolphins in January 1983. He was named the game’s MVP, largely thanks to one of the most legendary runs in league history.
On a fourth down in the final quarter, Gibbs called on Riggins. The power back rushed 43 yards for a touchdown to give Washington a 20-17 lead. He finished with 166 rushing yards in the 27-17 victory.
“We were privileged to be a part of something very special. We know that you all were part of it as well,” Theismann said as he introduced Riggins. “We got a chance to watch John work. I had the best seat in the house.”
Riggins was already inducted into Washington’s Ring of Honor in 1990. However, under former owner Dan Snyder, the franchise was reticent to retire numbers.
Riggins becomes the third player to have his jersey retired since owner Josh Harris bought the franchise in 2023. Green and Monk received the honor in 2024 and 2025, respectively.
The new ownership group made an active effort to repair fraught relationships with franchise legends, including Riggins, who was highly critical of Snyder’s tenure.
It was all love between Riggins and Washington on Sunday, though.
“You all remember him running over everyone, beating the Dolphins, all of it,” Harris said. “John, this is your day.”
Riggins ended his career with 11,352 rushing yards and 116 total touchdowns. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1992.
When he retired after the 1985 season, Riggins ranked fourth in NFL history in rushing yards, trailing only Walter Payton, Jim Brown and Franco Harris. Only Brown had more touchdowns than Riggins at the time.
“I will always support the Commanders,” Riggins said Sunday. “But I will die a Redskin.”
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