Washington Redskins: 15 greatest running backs in franchise history
By Ian Cummings
Broadcasters could only marvel in awe at the sheer physicality of John Riggins. It was said that while other running backs sputtered as the game went on, worn by constant contact, Riggins was fueled by it, as if it filled a hunger that could never be quenched.
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In his prime, Riggins was almost unstoppable, and his prime lasted far longer than that of most running backs.
In an era where ball carriers fizzled out due to injuries in as little as four to five years, Riggins played with the Redskins alone for nine seasons. He had spent an extra five with the New York Jets beforehand.
Much like his nature in games, Riggins only got better as his career went along. From 1978 to 1984, Riggins broke the 1,000-yard mark four times. In 1984, he was awarded his first and only All-Pro bid, as he ran for 1,347 yards and a whopping 24 touchdowns on 375 carries.
Of course, by that point, Riggins was already a legend; two years prior, he’d earned Super Bowl MVP honors against the Miami Dolphins, bludgeoning them into submission on the greatest stage, with 166 yards and a score on 38 carries.
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Some running backs win with speed. Others with strength and brute force. Riggins had a degree of both, but his ability to simply, stubbornly and relentlessly outlast his opponent was unmatched by any other. It’s why he’s not just the greatest running back in Redskins history, but one of the great Redskins of all time.