John Riggins
Football player. Born: 1949.
John Riggins grew up in Centralia where he was not only a superb athlete but excelled in mathematics and was a member of the school band and orchestra. In addition to football achievements, he won the state championship in the 100 yard dash as a junior and a senior and was also a good long jumper. In his senior year he was heavily recruited and chose to join his brother at KU.
KU went to the Orange Bowl his junior year (the famous "twelve men on the field" game) and in his senior year he was the Big Eight's leading rusher and an All-American. Riggins was drafted in the first round by the New York Jets in 1971. He battled injuries early in his professional career but still played well. In 1976 he signed a five-year $1.5 million contract with the Washington Redskins and performed remarkably well. He helped Washington win the 1982 Super Bowl. He retired in 1985 and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1992.
Entry: Riggens, John
Author: G. Joseph Pierron
Author information: Judge Pierron serves on the Kansas Court of Appeals and has an interest in Kansas history.
Date Created: November 2012
Date Modified: November 2012
The author of this article is solely responsible for its content.
