The Washington all-time leading rusher John Riggins does not like the new name, “Commanders.” He hates it so much that he is now making some eyebrow raising demands.
“I feel completely disenfranchised,” said Riggins, the Pro Football Hall of Famer who lead the NFL in touchdowns in 1983 and 1984 and was MVP of Super Bowl XVII in 1983. “I can’t understand how anyone who once played under the old franchise name could possibly want to be a part of anything to do with the Washington Commanders.”
He acknowledged that for his old teammates and others who played for the Redskins he understands every one of them has to make their own decisions, and are free to handle this how they choose to but also added, “For the guys who showed up last week I look at them and say, ‘What’s wrong with you? Don’t you get it? You were invited to your own funeral.’”
Regarding possible John Riggins’ Washington Commanders jerseys, Riggins responded, “That makes me feel filthy. I feel dirty, I don’t want anything to do with it. Maybe I will change. Maybe I need a little more time, I don’t know. It just doesn’t feel right to me.”
Riggins sadly talked of how he might describe himself, “John Riggins, played for the __. Well, who did he play for? I don’t know, can’t say that can you?”
He got what he wanted as Fanatics have since pulled his jerseys.
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The 72-year-old played for the Washington franchise from 1976-1985. He was selected 6th overall in the 1971 NFL Draft by the New York Jets. He was named Super Bowl XVII MVP and twice led the NFL in rushing touchdowns.
