John Riggins is a former American football player who excelled as a halfback and fullback. He was born on August 4, 1949, in Seneca, Kansas, U.S. During his playing career, he played for New York Jets (1971–1975) and Washington Redskins (1976–1979; 1981–1985).
Riggins has won several awards during his successful NFL career such as Super Bowl champion and NFL Comeback Player of the Year in 1978. He also earned first-team All-Pro distinction in 1983 and named to the Pro Bowl team once in his career.
Riggins had an impressive record of accumulating more than 11,000 rushing yards with an average of 3.9 yards per run along with scoring over 100 touchdowns. In summary, John Riggins made significant contributions to American football during his active years and will always be remembered as one of the sport’s legends.
Personal Information of John Riggins
| Age | 73 years old |
| Birth Date | 04 Aug 1949 |
| Birth Place | Seneca, KS |
| Height | 6′ 2″ |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Wife/Spouse (Name) | Lisa-Marie Riggins |
| Profession | Football Player |
| Net Worth | 6 million USD (2018) |
Stats
| season | Team |
|---|---|
| 2006-07 | BELHA |
| Career |
| GP | GS | MIN | FG | FG% | 3PT | 3P% | FT | FT% | OR | DR | REB | AST | BLK | STL | PF | TO | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 0 | 4.0 | 0.0-1.5 | 0.0 | 0.0-0.5 | 0.0 | 1.5-2.0 | 75.0 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 1.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 1.5 |
| 4 | 0 | 4.0 | 0.0-1.5 | 0.0 | 0.0-0.5 | 0.0 | 1.5-2.0 | 75.0 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 1.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 1.5 |
| season | Team |
|---|---|
| 2006-07 | BELHA |
| Career |
| FG | FG% | 3PT | 3P% | FT | FT% | OR | DR | REB | AST | BLK | STL | PF | TO | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-3 | 0.0 | 0-1 | 0.0 | 3-4 | 75.0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| 0-6 | 0.0 | 0-2 | 0.0 | 6-8 | 75.0 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 6 |
| season | Team |
|---|---|
| 2006-07 | BELHA |
| Career |
| DD2 | TD3 | DQ | EJECT | TECH | FLAG | AST/TO | STL/TO | RAT | SC-EFF | SH-EFF |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | - | 1.000 | 0.00 |
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | - | 1.000 | 0.00 |
Early life
John Riggins, the former NFL running back, was born in Seneca, Kansas. He grew up with partial Czech ancestry, and he attended Centralia High School. During his time at high school, John Riggins proved to be a fantastic athlete by participating in three sports: football, basketball, and athletics.
His exceptional characteristic performances did not go unnoticed as he earned high school All-American recognition for his remarkable performance on the football field. Besides his successful stint in football, John Riggins also received all-state honors for his extraordinary abilities on the basketball court.
He twice won the Class B 100-yard dash state title; this shows how gifted an athlete John Riggins was from an early age. Even during those years of adolescence, which is essentially a period of confusion and instability for most students while selecting their career paths in life ahead.
John always knew what he wanted to do- play sports! His passion towards sports became stronger as he progressed through high school years paving out new opportunities along the way.
Eventually leading him to start a career as an American Football player that every sportsman dreams of!
College career
John Riggins had a successful college career at the University of Kansas. He played football for the Jayhawks and was an outstanding player, earning the title of All-American. Furthermore, he was a two-time selection for the All-Big Eight Conference first-team.
Because of his exceptional performance, Riggins led his team to victory in the Big Eight Conference championship held in 1968. Riggins’ achievements during his college career were not just limited to individual honors or team victories.
In 1969, he led his team to play in the Orange Bowl against Penn State which they ultimately lost with a score of 15-14. Despite this loss, it was evident from Riggins’ senior year that he would be chosen as one of the Washington Redskins’ all-time greats in later years.
Overall, John Riggins’s time at the University of Kansas proved instrumental to honing his sportsmanship skills and developing himself into one of football’s most iconic stars ever seen.
Professional career
John Riggins was a professional football player and one of the greatest running backs in NFL history. He began his career as a rookie with the New York Jets, leading the team in both rushing and receiving.
In 1972, he helped set a team-record for rushing yards in a game along with teammate Emerson Boozer. Despite missing two games due to knee surgery that year, Riggins still managed to rush for 944 yards which nearly broke the franchise record.
After five seasons with the Jets, Riggins joined the Washington Redskins where he would ultimately make his biggest impact.
In his second season with them, he rushed for over 1,000 yards and was named First-Team All-Pro by the Associated Press. However, it was during the 1982 playoffs when Riggins truly became a legend.
In Super Bowl XVII against the Miami Dolphins, Riggins scored what is arguably one of the most famous touchdowns in Super Bowl history – a 43-yard run on a fourth-and-one play that sealed Washington’s victory over Miami.
Riggins continued to have success throughout his career and retired from football after winning another Super Bowl with Washington following their victory over Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl XXII.
His talents on the field earned him induction into both Pro Football Hall of Fame and the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame.
After football
John Riggins, a former NFL player, pursued a career in acting after retiring from football. He started taking acting lessons in 1994 and subsequently appeared in various off-Broadway productions as well as television shows such as Guiding Light, Law & Order: Criminal Intent and One Tree Hill.
His most notable theater roles include Gillette and A Midsummer Night’s Dream where he played Bottom. Riggins was able to successfully transition from his athletic career to the entertainment industry through hard work and dedication.
Despite facing initial skepticism due to his background as a football player, Riggins proved his talents on stage and screen. His ability to adapt and master new skills is a testament to his versatility as an individual.
Although he achieved great success as an actor, John Riggins will always be remembered for his contributions to the world of football, including leading the Washington Redskins to victory during Super Bowl XVII with a memorable touchdown run in 1983.
Personal life
John Riggins is a former American football player known for his powerful running style. He has experienced the joy of marriage two times in his life and is blessed with six children, namely Robert, Portia, Emil, Liberty, Hannah, and Coco.
The names of all his kids are unique and special in their way. Currently residing in Cabin John situated near the Potomac River along with his wife Lisa Marie shows that he prefers privacy and peaceful surroundings.
While there’s no information about how long he has been married to Lisa Marie from the info section. However one can suggest they are happily together through this line “He now resides” implying at least up to recent times.
Riggins’ family adds up to create a loving and supportive environment for him after retirement; perhaps they proved crucial during the days when he struggled with alcoholism years ago.
Overall it seems like Mr. Riggins values relationships as much as trophies in life.
Net Worth
John Riggins is a former American football player who has a net worth of $6 million. He was born in Seneca, Kansas, and attended Centralia High School, where he was an All-American in football. He played college football for the University of Kansas and was drafted by the New York Jets in 1971.
He spent five seasons with the Jets and then joined the Washington Redskins, where he became a Super Bowl champion and MVP in 1983. He retired in 1985 and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1992. He is known for his powerful running style and his nickname “Riggo”.
Where is John Riggins now?
Former football player John Riggins lives in Cabin John, Maryland with his wife Lisa Marie. The town is situated close to the Potomac River. After retiring from a successful sports career, Riggins settled down with his spouse and started a peaceful life away from the spotlight.
He has been living in Cabin John for quite some time now and seems to enjoy the privacy it offers. Riggins achieved legendary status during his time as a running back for the Washington Redskins. He won two Super Bowls with them and was recognized as an MVP in one of them.
Despite attaining great success on the field, Riggins managed to steer clear of any controversies off it. Nowadays, he leads a quiet life taking care of his properties and spending time with family and friends.
Although his days of playing professional football are long gone, those who remember him still hold him in high regard for his remarkable performances on game day.In summary, John Riggins resides today in Cabin John near Maryland’s Potomac River alongside Lisa Marie.
This retired player spent much of their career playing excellent football both throughout America that earned legendary status while retaining a stellar reputation off-field too.evaluated by many when reviewing past Super Bowl games played by Washington Redskin’s group.
How good was John Riggins?
John Riggins was a dependable running back known for his toughness in big games. He wasn’t flashy, but he was a workhorse who could grind out hard yards when necessary. Throughout his career, Riggins carried the ball 2,916 times and racked up an impressive 11,352 yards and 104 touchdowns.
Despite not being known as a receiving threat, he also caught 250 passes for over 2,000 yards and added another 12 touchdowns to his resume. One thing that set Riggins apart was his ability to thrive under pressure.
When it mattered most, he always seemed to find a way to come through for his team. That’s why he became such an important player on some of the biggest stages in football –- including two Super Bowl victories with the Washington Redskins.
Overall, John Riggins may not have been the flashiest or most skilled running back of all time –- but what he lacked in those areas, he made up for with grit, tenacity, and reliability.
For fans who value players who can tough out difficult situations en route to victory — Riggins is remembered as one of the greatest examples of just that kind of athlete.
Is John Riggins in the HOF?
John Riggins, a legendary American football player, has achieved immense recognition and fame in the sports world. His remarkable contributions to the game led to his induction into the prestigious Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1992.
This honor is bestowed upon players who have demonstrated outstanding skills, leadership, sportsmanship, and significant impact on their team’s success throughout their career. Furthermore, John Riggins was also recognized for his accomplishments by being inducted into other esteemed halls of fame.
He was inducted into the Redskins Ring of Fame in 1990, acknowledging his incredible performance while playing for the Washington Redskins.
In addition to this accolade, Riggins received another honor when he was included among the names engraved on Kansas University’s Ring of Honor list in 2007. John Riggins’ illustrious career made him a standout player during his time as an athlete.
Being part of multiple halls of fame showcases just how highly regarded and respected he is amongst millions of fans worldwide. Inducted into HOF back in 1992 has surely cemented John Riggins’ legacy forever as one of the Greatest NFL Players ever played.
Why did John Riggins leave the Jets?
John Riggins chose to leave the Jets due to feeling constantly overshadowed by Joe Namath. The two players had mutual respect for each other, but Riggins did not want to play second fiddle to Namath. It was not primarily about being paid more money or contractual disagreements.
Rather, it was a matter of wanting recognition as a top player in his own right. Playing alongside someone so famous made it difficult for Riggins to feel he was contributing fully and recognized on his own merits.
The attention given to Namath often minimized the extent of Riggins’s input into games and left him with little chance of establishing his identity as a leading footballer himself. Ultimately, despite enjoying playing with the team and having respect for management, coaches, and teammates on both sides of the ball.
The fact that he couldn’t escape Namath’s shadow drove him towards making the decision to move elsewhere. Where he could hopefully forge his path separate from such an overwhelming personality like Joe Namath’s represented in New York sports culture at that time.
How fast was John Riggins?
John Riggins’ speed was impressive given his size, standing at 6-foot-2 and weighing over 230 pounds. He was known for his powerful running style and fast acceleration. Although he may not have been the fastest player on the field, he still managed to outrun many defenders with ease thanks to his strength and agility.
When it came to breaking tackles and getting past defenders, Riggins knew how to use his physicality to gain momentum. Overall, John Riggins’ speed as a running back helped him become an integral component of the Washington Redskins team during his career in the NFL.
To Recap
John Riggins is a former American football player who played as a Halfback and Fullback. He was born on August 4, 1949 in Seneca, Kansas, and stands at 6 feet 2 inches tall weighing about 230 pounds. Riggins played for the New York Jets from 1971 to 1975 and the Washington Redskins from 1976 to 1979 and again from 1981 to 1985.
In his career, he won one Super Bowl championship and was named Super Bowl MVP (XVII), NFL Comeback Player of the Year (1978), First-team All-Pro in 1983, and he made it twice to Pro Bowl. He ranks among the top rushers with over eleven thousand career rushing yards making him eligible for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame which happened in year-1992.
