The Washington Commanders will retire John Riggins' No. 44 during their game against the Los Angeles Rams on Nov. 8, a long-awaited honor for one of the franchise's defining players.
Riggins remains Washington's all-time leading rusher and is one of the team's most decorated figures. He played for Washington from 1976 to 1985, piling up 7,742 yards and 85 touchdowns, including 79 rushing touchdowns. For a franchise with a long history, his place in it has always been secure. Now the retirement of his number makes that official in a more visible way.
The timing also connects the honor to the moment that made Riggins a Washington legend in the first place. On Jan. 30, 1983, he rushed for 166 yards, scored on a 43-yard touchdown run and earned Super Bowl MVP honors in Washington's 27-17 victory over the Miami Dolphins. It was the centerpiece of the team's first Super Bowl title and a performance that still defines his legacy.
A career that still stands out
Riggins' production was not limited to one big game. In 1984, at 35 years and three months old, he became the oldest player in NFL history to rush for more than 1,000 yards. That kind of durability, paired with his power running style, helped make him a central figure in Washington's success during that era.
His resume later earned him a place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1992. Beyond Washington, he played for the New York Jets, Miami Dolphins and Minnesota Vikings, but his strongest connection remained with the franchise he joined in 1976. In Washington, he became known as The Diesel, a nickname tied to the kind of physical running that wore defenses down.
The path to this tribute has not always been smooth. Riggins' relationship with the franchise was strained during the Dan Snyder era, and he had openly criticized the organization in the past, including saying Snyder had a dark heart and objecting to the team changing its name to the Commanders. But after Josh Harris purchased the team in 2023, Riggins and other alumni resumed a relationship with the organization.
That renewed connection has been visible in recent months. Riggins attended the 2023 season opener, then was at an OTA practice this spring and spoke to the team. The Commanders now will follow that with a full celebration on Nov. 8, giving fans another chance to recognize a player who helped define one of the most successful eras in franchise history.
As Harris put it, Riggo helped define that era, and his combination of physicality, fearlessness and personality helped captivate fans and inspire teammates. For a player who once said he wanted to put a smile on their faces and was always seeking approval, the number retirement feels like the kind of moment that finally gives it back.
