Riggins’ NFL career spanned from 1971 to 1985, with the bulk of his impact in Washington from 1976 to 1985. He was a two-time NFL rushing touchdown leader and earned multiple All-Pro and Pro Bowl selections. His most memorable years came during the 1982 season, when he set postseason records with 136 rushing yards, 610 rushing yards overall in four playoff games, and four total touchdowns. He also recorded a playoff single-game rushing record of 185 yards in a victory over the Minnesota Vikings.
The pinnacle of Riggins’ career is often associated with Super Bowl XVII, where he carried 38 times for 166 rushing yards in a 27-17 win over the Miami Dolphins, earning Super Bowl MVP honors.
The decision to retire Riggins’ No. 44 adds to the Commanders’ tradition of recognizing the greatest players in franchise history, cementing his legacy in the team’s storied past.
