The Washington Commanders will retire the No. 44 worn by John Riggins, honoring the Hall of Fame running back who remains the franchise’s all-time rushing leader and one of the most recognizable figures in team history.
The decision places Riggins among a select group of Washington players whose numbers have been formally taken out of circulation. It also comes more than 40 years after the signature moment of his career: a 43-yard touchdown run on fourth-and-1 against the Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl XVII, a play that helped deliver Washington a championship and became one of the defining highlights in NFL postseason history.
Riggins, known for his bruising running style and durability, spent the most productive years of his career in Washington after beginning in the NFL with the New York Jets. He became a central figure in coach Joe Gibbs’ offense and was particularly dominant during the 1982 season and postseason, when Washington leaned on its offensive line and power running game.
A Super Bowl run that endured
Riggins’ touchdown against Miami remains closely tied to the franchise’s first Super Bowl title. With Washington trailing in the fourth quarter, he took a handoff, broke through a tackle attempt and sprinted down the left side for the go-ahead score. The play has been replayed for generations of fans and is often cited as one of the most important in Washington sports history.
He was named Most Valuable Player of that Super Bowl after rushing for 166 yards, setting a standard for a championship performance by a running back. The image of Riggins pulling away from Miami defenders helped cement his standing not only in franchise lore but also in the broader history of the league.
Riggins finished his career with 11,352 rushing yards and 104 rushing touchdowns. His totals with Washington include the franchise rushing record, and his peak years came in an era when the team was a perennial contender. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1992.
Recognition amid a new era in Washington
The Commanders have spent recent seasons reconnecting with major figures from the franchise’s past while trying to build momentum under new leadership. Retiring Riggins’ number adds a visible tribute to a player whose career is strongly associated with the team’s championship identity.
For many fans, No. 44 represents the physical style of Washington’s best teams of the 1980s. Riggins’ combination of size, patience and finishing power made him a reliable postseason centerpiece, and his best runs often came when defenses knew he was likely to get the ball.
The retirement of the number ensures future Commanders players will not wear it again, turning it into a permanent marker of Riggins’ place in the organization. The team’s move also provides another opportunity to highlight an era that continues to shape how the franchise is remembered.
Washington has not needed to explain the symbolism of the honor to longtime supporters. For them, No. 44 is already inseparable from the fourth-and-1 run, the Super Bowl trophy that followed and one of the most celebrated careers in team history.
Key questions
- Why are the Commanders retiring John Riggins’ No. 44?
- The Commanders are retiring No. 44 to honor John Riggins’ Hall of Fame career, his status as the franchise rushing leader and his central role in Washington’s Super Bowl XVII championship.
- What is John Riggins’ most famous play?
- Riggins is best known for his 43-yard touchdown run on fourth-and-1 against the Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl XVII, a play that helped Washington win the title.
