​ASHBURN, Va. (AP) — The Washington Commanders announced on Thursday that they will retire John Riggins’ No. 44 during the upcoming NFL season. The Hall of Fame running back will be celebrated in a halftime ceremony during the game against the Los Angeles Rams on November 8.
“There are certain players whose impact goes far beyond statistics, championships and accolades: They become woven into the identity of a franchise,” said controlling owner Josh Harris in a statement. “John Riggins is one of those players. Our fans not only admired him, they identified with him. He is authentic, unapologetically himself and deeply connected to the people around him. John has meant so much to this franchise, our fans and the game of football.”
Riggins is the organization’s all-time leading rusher, with 7,472 yards and 79 touchdowns on 1,988 carries. He helped Washington win the Super Bowl in the 1982 season, earning MVP honors for a performance that featured a memorable 43-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter to put the team ahead of the Miami Dolphins. Riggins was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1992.
nicknamed “Riggo,” he remains a fan favorite for his hard-nosed playing style and leadership. He becomes the seventh Commanders players to have his number retired, joining Sammy Baugh, Bobby Mitchell, Sean Taylor, Sonny Jurgensen, Darrell Green and Art Monk. Notably, Green, Monk and Riggins have all had their numbers retired since Harris’s group took over from longtime owner Dan Snyder.
The franchise’s decision to retire Riggins’s number adds to a broader period of recognition for legendary figures who helped shape the team’s legacy. As the organization continues to honor its past, the November 8 ceremony will serve as a fitting moment to reflect on Riggins’s contributions and the enduring connection he fostered with fans and the wider football community.
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