{"id":3848,"date":"2026-07-10T10:05:46","date_gmt":"2026-07-10T10:05:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/homebuyerrelocation.com\/?p=3848"},"modified":"2026-07-10T10:05:46","modified_gmt":"2026-07-10T10:05:46","slug":"commanders-to-retire-riggins-no-44-jersey","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/homebuyerrelocation.com\/?p=3848","title":{"rendered":"Commanders to retire Riggins\u2019 No. 44 jersey"},"content":{"rendered":"
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No Washington Commander will wear No. 44 again.<\/p>\n

The NFL franchise announced Thursday that it will retire the jersey in honor of Hall of Fame running back John Riggins during a home game against the Los Angeles Rams on Nov. 8.<\/p>\n

Read more LOVERRO: If Nationals\u2019 new management is for real, now is the time to prove it<\/a><\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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The Kansas product, affectionately known to fans and teammates as \u201cDiesel\u201d or \u201cRiggo,\u201d was the focal point of a lethal Washington running game under Hall of Fame coach Joe Gibbs.<\/p>\n

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\u2019s MVP, largely thanks to one of the most legendary runs in league history.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Riggins was already inducted into Washington\u2019s Ring of Honor in 1990. However, under former owner Dan Snyder, the franchise was reticent to retire numbers.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are certain players whose impact goes far beyond statistics, championships and accolades; they become woven into the identity of a franchise,\u201d Mr. Harris said in a statement. \u201cJohn Riggins is one of those players. \u2018Riggo,\u2019 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Riggins started his career with a five-season stint with the New York Jets. Ever the entertainer, Riggins said in a video released by the Commanders that during a game early in his career, he closed his eyes when the crowd honored Joe Namath and pretended the ovation was for him.<\/p>\n

Read more Nationals under-the-radar stars Garcia, Griffin make All-Star push<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cIt was paramount to me that I put a smile on their faces if I could because I was always seeking their approval,\u201d Riggins said of his relationship with fans. \u201cI operated out of fear and not wanting to disappoint people.\u201d<\/p>\n

Even when a contract dispute kept Riggins from playing in 1980, he was a fan favorite.<\/p>\n

When Washington honored Riggins in the Ring of Honor, he suited up in his old jerseys and pads, much to the delight of the Redskins diehards at RFK Stadium.<\/p>\n

\u201cI had to hear the fans one more time,\u201d the Hall of Famer said in Thursday\u2019s video.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur fans not only admired him, they identified with him,\u201d Josh Harris said. \u201cHe is authentic, unapologetically himself and deeply connected to the people around him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Riggins was, for a time, estranged from the franchise during Snyder\u2019s tenure as owner.<\/p>\n

Now, Mr. Harris and team President Mark Clouse are repairing any ruptured relationships with players.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese are guys that represent the foundation of the greatest era of football that our franchise has played,\u201d Clouse said on 106.7 \u201cThe Fan\u201d of Riggins, Monk and Green. \u201cThat Redskins history is such an important part to celebrate even as we build the Commanders brand. Recognizing our roots has been paramount.\u201d<\/p>\n

Riggins, 76, attended at least one of Washington\u2019s offseason workouts, where he shared stories and tips with the entire squad, with a focus on the running backs.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was amazing. The guys were glued. Everybody understands the significance of John Riggins and how he played the game and what he represented,\u201d Clouse said. \u201cIt\u2019s right down the middle of the fairway with what [coach Dan Quinn] is trying to do in building culture.\u201d<\/p>\n

After time with players this offseason, Riggins will get to revive his love affair with Washington\u2019s devoted supporters during his jersey retirement ceremony in November.<\/p>\n

Read more Carolina Hurricanes owner puts himself, wife, five children first in Stanley Cup engraving<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cI say this with all sincerity. The fans were my oxygen,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

No Washington Commander will ever wear No. 44 again. The NFL franchise announced Thursday that it will retire the jersey in honor of Hall of Fame running back John Riggins during a home game against the Los Angeles Rams on Nov. 8.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3847,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[142,2311],"tags":[2312,2313,1653],"class_list":["post-3848","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sports","category-washington-commanders","tag-john-riggins","tag-los-angeles-rams","tag-washington-commanders"],"yoast_head":"\nCommanders to retire Riggins\u2019 No. 44 jersey - Home Buyer Relocation<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/homebuyerrelocation.com\/?p=3848\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Commanders to retire Riggins\u2019 No. 44 jersey - Home Buyer Relocation\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"No Washington Commander will ever wear No. 44 again. 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