Full Breakdown
Washington Commanders to Retire John Riggins’ No. 44
7/10/2026, 2:31:23 PM
Core Event
The Washington Commanders announced that No. 44, worn by Hall of Fame running back John Riggins, will be retired during halftime of the team’s Week 9 home game against the Los Angeles Rams on Nov. 8, 2026. The ceremony marks the seventh jersey retirement in franchise history.
Background & Context
Riggins was selected by the New York Jets in the first round of the 1971 NFL Draft and played five seasons in New York. He signed with Washington in 1976 and spent nine seasons (1976-1985) with the franchise, becoming its all-time leading rusher and touchdown scorer. Highlights include four 1,000-yard seasons, a career-high 1,347 rushing yards and 24 touchdowns in 1983, and a Super Bowl XVII MVP performance (166 yards and a 43-yard touchdown run) that secured Washington’s first championship. After retiring, Riggins was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1992 and entered the team’s Ring of Fame in 1990.
Since owner Josh Harris purchased the club in 2023, the Commanders have begun retiring numbers that had previously been left untouched under former owner Dan Snyder. Green’s number was retired in 2024 and Monk’s in 2025; Riggins joins Sammy Baugh (33), Bobby Mitchell (49), Sean Taylor (21), Darrell Green (28), Sonny Jurgensen (9) and Art Monk (81).
Key Figures & Groups
- John Riggins – former running back, Hall of Famer, “The Diesel.”
- Josh Harris – controlling owner, issued the primary statement on the retirement.
- Mark Clouse – team president, emphasized the link between past legends and the current brand.
- Joe Gibbs – Hall of Fame coach who led the 1982-83 championship team that featured Riggins.
Data & Statistics
- Career Washington rushing yards: 7,472 (some sources list 7,742).
- Rushing touchdowns with Washington: 79 (total career touchdowns cited as 85).
- 1,000-yard seasons: four (including 1,347 yards in 1983).
- Super Bowl XVII: 166 yards, 43-yard TD run on fourth-and-1, MVP honors.
- Postseason records: 610 rushing yards and 136 carries in the 1982 playoff run, both NFL single-postseason records.
- Total NFL career yards: 11,352; total touchdowns: 116.
Why It Matters
Retiring Riggins’ number formalizes the franchise’s acknowledgment of a player who “helped define one of the most successful eras” and reconnects the organization with alumni after years of estrangement during the Snyder era. The honor also reinforces the Commanders’ effort to weave historic identity into the modern brand, offering longtime fans a tangible link to the team’s championship heritage.
Official Statements & Responses
Owner Josh Harris said the player “has meant so much to this franchise, our fans and the game of football,” adding that “our fans not only admired him, they identified with him.” President Mark Clouse described the ceremony as “continuing to build this connective thread between past and new,” noting that the club “has an embarrassment of riches” in legends to recognize.
Criticism & Opposition
Riggins previously criticized former owner Dan Snyder, calling him a “dark heart,” and voiced opposition to the team’s name change to the Commanders. Those remarks created a period of estrangement that ended after Harris acquired the franchise in 2023, when Riggins resumed public appearances with the team.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on Riggins’ total Washington rushing yards (7,472 vs. 7,742) and on his overall career touchdown count (79 rushing vs. 85 total). Additionally, career-wide rushing yards are reported as 11,352 in some accounts, while others focus solely on his Washington totals.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Riggo, as many know him, helped define one of the most successful eras in our history,” — Josh Harris, Owner, Washington Commanders
- “He played with a rare combination of physicality, fearlessness and personality that captivated fans and inspired his teammates.” — Josh Harris
- “It was paramount to me that I put a smile on their faces if I could because I was always seeking their approval,” — John Riggins
- “I operated out of fear and not wanting to disappoint people.” — John Riggins
- “There are certain players whose impact goes far beyond statistics, championships and accolades; they become woven into the identity of a franchise.” — Josh Harris
What’s Next
The jersey-retirement ceremony will take place at halftime of the Commanders’ Nov. 8 home game against the Los Angeles Rams, concluding the 2026 season’s Week 9 slate.
