John Riggins

John Riggins (born August 4, 1949, in Seneca, Kansas) is a former American Football running back, and inductee into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Related Topics:
August 4 - 1949 - Seneca, Kansas - American Football - Running back - Pro Football Hall of Fame

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Educated at the University of Kansas, he broke Gale Sayers's career rushing record for the school. He was the first-round draft pick for the New York Jets in the 1971 draft. He spent five years with the Jets, eventually being signed as a free agent by the Washington Redskins in 1976. He remained with Washington until retiring in 1985, but voluntarily sat out the 1980 season over a contractual dispute.

Related Topics:
University of Kansas - Gale Sayers - New York Jets - 1971 - Free agent - Washington Redskins - 1976 - 1985 - 1980

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He played in Super Bowl XVII and Super Bowl XVIII for the Redskins, in tandem with quarterback Joe Theismann and Washington's legendary offensive line known collectively as "The Hogs." He had 38 carries for 166 yards in Super Bowl XVII, becoming the game MVP.

Related Topics:
Super Bowl XVII - Super Bowl XVIII - Joe Theismann - MVP

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Riggins was often known for his hard running style and tough demeanor. He has a career 11,352 yards rushing and 2,090 yards receiving, giving him 13,435 combined yards, among the best ever for a running back. He also scored 104 rushing TDs (116 total) during his career; Riggins scored 24 touchdowns during the 1983 season, a record which stood for 12 years.

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In 1985, at a Washington Press Club dinner, an intoxicated Riggins infamously told Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor: "Come on, Sandy Baby, loosen up. You're too tight," then passed out on the floor.

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John Riggins was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1992.

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Since retiring from professional football, Riggins has worked as a sports commentator on television and radio, and is a popular, near-notorious, figure in the Washington D.C. area. In 1994, he began acting lessons and has since starred in Gillette, an off-Broadway play. His television credits include Guiding Light and '.

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In July 2005, radio broadcaster Westwood One announced Riggins will be the lead analyst for the weekly American radio broadcast of Sunday Night Football starting in the 2006 season, where he will be paired with play-by-play announcer Joel Meyers. Former Riggins teammate Joe Theismann currently is a color commentator on the American television broadcast of Sunday Night Football on ESPN. In 2006, Sunday Night Football will be moving from ESPN to NBC to replace Monday Night Football, which is moving to ESPN from ABC.

Related Topics:
Westwood One - Sunday Night Football - Joe Theismann - ESPN - NBC - Monday Night Football - ABC

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